I met the Mahathirs at their Hari Raya Open House!
SharePosted on 22. Oct, 2008 by Gallivanter in Happenings
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Mel’s new job as Project Executive for Inter-Expo, Marina Mahathir’s establishment, gave us the GOLDEN chance to meet the Mahathirs in person. I was excited about the night, especially meeting the Tun himself. We drove down to the Palace of the Golden Horses, and waited for Mel’s colleagues, before we convoyed over to the open house.
I was like a baby in toyland, I beamed in glowing excitement at the prospect of meeting Tun Mahathir. Each time I had a photo moment with them, I perspire in veneration. The only thing I said to him, was, “Selamat Hari Raya Tun. I’m a fan of your blog.”, and he grinned. There were hoardes of people wanting to take a photo of him, and I was up against another fella who wanted his photo, and sadly, as Mel took the photo, Tun looked at the other camera.
Irrespective of his critics, I have utmost respect of this man, for taking Malaysia forward. I cannot say the same for Badawi, and I won’t.
Shortly after that photo, we found an empty table, and unlike Mel’s colleagues, who seemed to be more concern of the food (or maybe because they meet the Mahathirs every year). Marina was a couple of tables away, and like a “tourist”, we rushed over for a photo opportunity.
She smiles very naturally, I’m guessing the photo moments with her has gave her ample time to perfect the smile. A pleasant person, though I felt kinda awkward at first, trying to ask her for a photo opportunity. Still, I didn’t let the moment get the worst of me.
We then headed over to grab dinner, the bbq-ed chicken wings did it for me. While I was eating at the table, this gentleman passed by. And, me, being me, and what I have heard about him, went over, greeted him and introduced myself.
Tony Fernandes (CEO of Air Asia)
A very modest and approachable guy, to say the least. I continued chomping on the food, and was looking around for Mukhriz, a man, who I honestly hope, will win the Youth Chief position for UMNO. Instead, I saw DJ Dave, and even Gary Thanesan (that host from LINGO), though I wasn’t fazed by them.
And, there he was, in striking yellow stripes, was the man of the moment himself. He’s extremely friendly and has this charm about him. Though whatever takes place in the UMNO elections do not bother me, the Youth Chief position, I feel, shouldn’t go to Khairy and the keris-wielding Hishamuddin. I’d vote Mukhriz.
with Mukhriz
Mission accomplished. I had set out what I wanted to do and did it. I visited Tun Mahathir and his family at his residence in Sri Kembangan. It was a memorable Saturday, though it started off rather so-so with a flop called Max Payne (rubbish), and then, this Hari Raya open house, ending the night with Arsenal’s less than convincing 3-1 over Everton @ Ronnie Q’s Bangsar, where I had my usual Guinness Stout.
I learned one thing though – I need to start losing weight as I’m slowly turning into a balloon! Somebody pop me!
sting
Oct 22nd, 2008
Hmmm, there was no picture of the food!! the bbq-chicken would have been nice…
Pity Tun looked the other way… he still look pretty good ya 
saifulrizan
Oct 22nd, 2008
Man…
Tun Mahathir, Marina, Mukhriz..
It’s like a dream come true to be there (for me at least..)
saifulrizan’s last blog post..Honda Stream
earthy emily
Oct 22nd, 2008
Wah! Who else you’re going to meet.
Nick Phillips
Oct 22nd, 2008
Those are some cool pictures my friend
Yeah, Sting is right, where are pictures of the food? LOL!
Nick Phillips’s last blog post..Practice What You Preach …
emelda
Oct 22nd, 2008
Hehe..guess we have totally forgotten about the food.Too busy trying to spot the VIP’s and taking pictures with them.
Besides, wouldn’t want to scare all my colleague (yet)…wouldn’t want them to think that i have never seen a chicken wings b4! LOL!
emelda’s last blog post..My wish and dreams….
xin
Oct 22nd, 2008
wow! this is like once in a life time!!!
visithra
Oct 22nd, 2008
Omg u met dr m – I so love him – n so did my dad – dad actually queued up to see him the first time they opened the pms residence for raya n ended up having a heart attack the next day – but still didn’t regret talking to dr m
Niki
Oct 22nd, 2008
Hey man,
I was there too!
Niki’s last blog post..Michael Jackson has the X-Factor
Just plain Sharon
Oct 22nd, 2008
Hi Daniel!
I envy your courage and your determination.
I hope I could do the same when I get the opportunity.
Thanks for dropping by at my blog.
Cheers amigos!
Oh btw, POP!
Just plain Sharon’s last blog post..RIP – Toing Benjamin Tamin
jefferi
Oct 22nd, 2008
haha.. you really kill many birds with one stone.
with Dr M, malaysian experienced a hate and love relationship with him.
jefferi’s last blog post..Golden Parachute for Valuecap Sdn Bhd?
Lorna
Oct 22nd, 2008
Is Max Payne that bad? I was planning on watching it soon.
Anyways, woo-hoo! You’ve met the Mahathirs and Tony Fernandez as well? Fantastic! Tun looks skinnier nowadays though, huh? I hope he’s in the best of health.
And Mel, not everyone can easily take pictures with Tun
Yeah, who cares about food, you can get them everywhere! 
Lorna’s last blog post..FaceBook’s urTurn Scam?
elcynthia
Oct 22nd, 2008
hi daniel,
seeing your pics and reading ur post made me remembered my visit to Tun’s Hari Raya Open House 10 years ago (when he’s still the PM). It was crazy… i mean the people, not him of course *hehehe**… but don’t hv any picture since never planned it anyway. Cherish yours… Mukhriz hv my vote as well *smile*. btw, thanks for visiting my blog!
elcynthia’s last blog post..Chocolate Crazy Cupcakes
kaDusMama
Oct 22nd, 2008
WAH!!!!!!! How i wish i can meet Tun Mahathir in person. We share the same sentiment lah Dan..I also think Tun Mahathir is still the best compare to ‘U-Know-who’.
kaDusMama’s last blog post..Genesis 3 and our modern life
Faiez
Oct 22nd, 2008
Hey, I could imagined the aura and the excitement you felt! Tun M looked very tired and old… to me he’s a great man, he contributed a lot to Malaysia indeed, despite whatever critics he received. But then again, I’m a huge fan, of kos I’m biased, hehe.
Oh Tony Fernandez! My friend who works in Airasia told me that he’s a very simple man. He doesn’t have a dedicated office in Airasia, neither all the managers etc. It’s like… if top management doesn’t have it why should u, haha!
*poking Daniel’s belly*
Eh, you cannpt pop la bro… tebal sangat dah ni!
Go gym la, Mel used to be instructor right? I’m sure she can torture you to slimness easily mah!
Faiez’s last blog post..About a Boy
Gallivanter
Oct 22nd, 2008
sting – Sorry, but I’m not the usual nerdy blogger who likes to take pictures of food rather than something more interesting.
Yeah, unfortunately Tun looked the other way, but oh well, I still have a photo of him. 
saifulrizan – For me too, especially the Tun and Mukhriz.
earthy emily – Well, I can tell you who I don’t want to meet, the current Govt officials.
Nick Phillips – Cheers. Like I told Sting, I’m not that type of blogger.
emelda – Yabah, it’ll be silly taking photos of the food, normal people would think we’re bananas. I’m sure they think the same for most food bloggers. Like we’ve never seen prawns or beef before!
xin – Indeed, but I’m hoping that Mel remains with this company, to give me another chance next year! It’s good to avoid the public.
visithra – Yeah, I have utmost respect for him too, because of what he has contributed to our country.
Niki – Really? Did you shake hands with any of them?
Just plain Sharon – Well, when opportunity knocks, I’ll always take it. Opportunities like these hardly comes by for the most of us. Thanks for the pop! I think I need more than one, I’m like a walking bubble wrap!
jefferi – Well, I never hated him. He may have his weaknesses, but his strength more than overcame them.
Lorna – Don’t bother with Max Payne. You’re better off going to Centrepoint to throw stones at Pilaks! More excitement! Yes, you’re right about food – who the hell cares? Unless it’s something exotic.
elcynthia – High five on Mukhriz. Yes, I will indeed cherish these photos. A once in a lifetime dream has been realized. I ALWAYS wanted to meet Tun Mahathir.
kaDusMama – He’s such a gentle person in real life, and it’s amazing what he has done to Malaysia. We were so far back when he took over, and brought us progress. People will remember him. As for the current person, people will remember him for his batiks and sleeping rituals.
Faiez – Every time after I take a photo, I end up sweating. And no, you’re not biased. The people who downgrade Tun are the ones in denial. Tun is legendary. Tony is a decent guy too. As for working out, yeah, I started last week, every couple of days, working out with Mel at home (no, not the bedroom kind though that is not working out but fun!), we exercise to some hip hop music. I need to lose weight, it’s the fattest I’ve ever been. Eeek!
foongpc
Oct 23rd, 2008
Wow! Must be a blast meeting up with so many famous people! You even forgot to blog about the food, or maybe it is just insignificant compared to Dr M.
I had shook hands with Dr M before, long time ago when I was part of a group performing at a hotel for the CHOGM delegates in KL. I think his appearance did not change much, just a little bit older now.
foongpc’s last blog post..My Favourite Cinema
Neo
Oct 23rd, 2008
Wow… your photo with Tun Mahathir is perfect, except that he looked at the other camera. Anyway, let me pop you in the belly.
Neo’s last blog post..Light Box for Product Photography
Gallivanter
Oct 23rd, 2008
foongpc – No, I didn’t forget to blog about food, I don’t blog about food!
Neo – Another pop. Thanks Neo!
JACQ
Oct 24th, 2008
Oh wow! U guys met all those celebs! Lucky u and Mel!
Gallivanter
Oct 25th, 2008
JACQ – Lucky is an understatement!
shuttertalk
Oct 28th, 2008
wow. so lucky u! i missed the open house. now have to wait untl next year. haha
shuttertalk’s last blog post..Ronnie & Sheraine 280908!
Gallivanter
Oct 30th, 2008
shuttertalk – Next year will come by in a heartbeat. Unfortunately, time is against Tun. May he have a long life.
Jacks
Nov 8th, 2008
how lucky you got photos with those noblemen.I wish I will be there too ..
Gallivanter
Nov 10th, 2008
Jacks – Yeah, I’m lucky to say the least!