Fractured hip does not stop woman from meeting Dr M

PUTRAJAYA: Zainab Kader, 66, fractured her hip recently but that did not stop her from waiting in line to meet the Prime Minister.

Zainab, from Sungai Petani, in fact was the first to wish Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad although she was in a wheelchair.

“I wanted to come and greet Tun Dr Mahathir and thank him personally for saving the nation,” she said.

“This is the first time that our family is attending the Prime Minister’s Hari Raya open house celebration,” said her son Muhammad Aries, 44, from Subang Jaya.

“My mother insisted we come although she fractured her hip recently.”

Another was Edwin Chew, 41, from Shah Alam who arrived early to be the first in line.

“I wanted to thank Tun Dr Mahathir from the bottom of my heart for saving the nation for us and our future generations,” he said.

Jordanian Fawwaz Ali Taha, 34, said it was his first time attending a Hari Raya open house.

“It is a very interesting and colourful way to celebrate Hari Raya.

“I am glad I came as I had the chance of seeing the Prime Minister who is a good leader,” the Universiti Sains Islam Malaysia student said.

British Ambassador to Malaysia Vicki Treadell, who was among the dignitaries that visited Dr Mahathir, said the celebration was a reflection of the people of Malaysia.

“The atmosphere is very happy and everyone is very full of hope and looking forward to Malaysia baru,” she said.

She was pleasantly surprised that the recording of her Hari Raya message in Bahasa Malaysia had gone viral.

Malaysians from all over turned up by the droves to thank Dr Mahathir at Seri Perdana here.

Thousands, some of whom wait- ed patiently in line as early 9am, broke out in cheers when Dr Mahathir arrived at about 11.20am to greet guests.

The guests were also treated to an array of delicacies prepared by 10 caterers.

Among the food were chicken rendang, rendang daging Minang, nasi lemak, naan, kuih lapis, curry puffs, nasi briyani, dalca, fried chicken, satay, laksa, soto ayam, appam balik, fried keow teow, fried noodles and grilled lamb.