Unity is Strength: President’s Message for Hari Raya Aidilfitri | 8TV News Malaysia

Malaysia’s Head of State, Sultan Ibrahim Iskandar, emphasized the importance of national unity during a Hari Raya Aidilfitri celebration at the National Palace on Saturday, stating, “Unity is strength, division is weakness.” The remarks came as the nation marked the first day of the Islamic holiday with a royal banquet attended by over 600 guests, including Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, Wan Azizah, as well as representatives from several foreign embassies.

The banquet featured traditional Johor cuisine, including kacang pool (bean stew) and sup tulang merah (red bone marrow soup), alongside Malay dishes like lemang and rendang, and fragrant rice dishes. Entertainment was provided by the Royal Malaysian Police band and singer DJ Dave, chairman of the National Artists Welfare Foundation (YKAT).

Prior to the banquet, Sultan Ibrahim and his consort, Raja Zarith Sofiah, participated in Aidilfitri prayers at the National Palace mosque. The event underscores the significance of the holiday as a time for national cohesion and familial gatherings, a sentiment echoed by the Sultan’s call for unity.

The celebration occurred against a backdrop of ongoing concerns regarding traffic congestion as many Malaysians returned to their hometowns for the holiday, according to reports from 8TV News. The national news outlet reported on a recent High Court decision overturning a drug trafficking conviction against a 29-year-old woman, Emily Leong Jo Yee, due to insufficient evidence presented by the prosecution.

The Sultan and Raja Zarith Sofiah took time to interact with guests before departing the National Palace. No further statements were issued by the royal court following the event.