Thousands of people attended Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman and singer-actress Bella Astillah’s public wedding reception in Muar, Johor, on Sunday, 25 October.
The gathering at Yong Sheng Banquet Hall was a “kenduri rakyat”, a wedding feast open to the public, following the couple’s marriage earlier this month. Guests included people who had travelled from Singapore.
Saddiq Thanks Guests Who Travelled From Singapore
In remarks quoted by Malay Mail, Saddiq acknowledged guests from Perlis, Kedah and Terengganu, as well as those who flew from Kuching or drove from Singapore.
He said he wanted to keep his speech short so he could spend more time with people who had waited outside in the heat.
“We apologise from the bottom of our hearts for any shortcomings,” he said on behalf of the couple.
Saddiq added that they had not expected people to begin queuing as early as 6am, and would try to meet as many guests as possible.
Queues Began Hours Before Doors Opened
Malay Mail’s earlier report described guests queuing outside the hall from around 10am, ahead of doors opening at 1.30pm.
The programme included food and drinks for guests, along with gifts of daily essentials. At least 15 local food and beverage vendors were lined up, offering items including coffee, pizza, fried chicken, ayam gepuk and ice cream.
The public celebrations had been announced on 2 October. Saddiq said then that he and Bella wanted to share their wedding celebrations with the local community, inviting villagers to take part in communal cooking preparations.
Sponsors were also contributing rice, coconut milk and other essentials for distribution at the gatherings.
Couple Married Earlier In October
Sunday’s reception followed the couple’s solemnisation at Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur on 10 October, when they officially became husband and wife.
They subsequently held a reception at the Malaysia International Trade and Exhibition Centre in Kuala Lumpur on 18 October.
Another public wedding reception is scheduled for 31 October in Kota Kinabalu, in Bella’s home state of Sabah.
