Would you attend a politician’s open house?

[superadmin]

Open houses are not peculiar to the Malays. During festivals, they and the other races welcome family and friends to enjoy home-cooked traditional delicacies, exchange pleasantries, and hand over hampers, duit raya or ang pows.

Festive open houses held by politicians have also been around for decades, and are organised by leaders from both sides of the political divide.

Despite what they may claim, these politicians cannot deny that there is always a political element in welcoming the public to their official home. The politician will declare that it is the opportunity for the rakyat to meet their leader, shake his hand, and celebrate the festive occasion with him.

The member of the public may claim that he wants to meet the leader, gawp and gape at his home, and enjoy a free meal, but he will have to take his place in the queue and be prepared to stay in line for a few hours before he gets to meet the host.

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