AN MB’S WEEKLY KENDURI
An effort based on love and unity to bring the people together
BY the time I arrived at the official residence of the Perak menteri besar last Thursday night, the kenduri was in full swing. Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir was in his white jubah, dispensing food to his guests.
There were almost 500 of them in the big hall where the feast was held. Everyone was seated on floor mats and food was laid out in big trays. Four guests to a big tray — that was the house rule.
This weekly kenduri was first held eight years ago. It has always been held on a Thursday night, beginning with the maghrib prayers. Dinner would be served after the last prayer for the night, the isyak prayers.
Last week, the menu was beriyani with chicken, lamb served with pumpkin soup, beef rendang, capati and Malay cakes and pastries.
Zambry moved from group to group, adding more rice and chicken for his guests.
I was told that Zambry loves being the head waiter on these kenduri nights.
I asked Zambry what was the rationale for the weekly feast.
He said: “I organised this to get everyone together. It’s a simple concept based on love and unity.
“Giving away food and fostering silaturrahim (brotherhood) has always been a major concern of mine.
“It’s a basic Islamic requirement.
“There was also considerable disunity after the 2008 General Election. I wanted everyone to get back together through this reconciliation effort. Everyone could join, regardless of ethnic and political background.
“Apart from the people who walk in, I also bring in tahfiz school students and the less fortunate, including orphans, the elderly and physically-challenged people. Even the Orang Asli community joins us.
“After word of the weekly kenduri spread, many people walked in. Most of them knew that good food was served. Students from colleges and hostels also came, with their teachers and wardens.”
I spoke to a few individuals who attended the kenduri regularly. Yusof, a teacher who accompanied his students to the kenduri, said he had been a regular for the past three years.
It isn’t easy to organise the kenduri on a weekly basis. But, its popularity and acceptance by the people have made the organisers happy and motivated.
Zambry is one of those who brought innovation into his administration. For several years, he opened what was referred to as Dr Zambry’s Clinic. This was also done every week, where he would bring key administrators with him to meet the rakyat.
The day was dedicated to helping solve the people’s problems and grievances there and then as relevant personnel were present. That was a hugely popular event.
He then took this meet-thepeople-session further. He stopped the clinic and went from district to district to get a closer look at the people’s issues.
It may not always be possible for the people in the interior to go to Ipoh. There are costs involved and they may have to queue to get to see the menteri besar.
“That’s why I decided to move from district to district. We are here to serve the people.
“As long as the job gets done — that’s the important thing,” he said as we parted company.
It isn’t easy to organise the ‘kenduri’ on a weekly basis. But, its popularity and acceptance by the people have made the organisers happy and motivated.