KUALA LUMPUR - The Hari Raya open house hosted by the Prime Minister and his Cabinet at the Putra World Trade Centre here on Wednesday saw about 198,000 people lining up for their favourite festive foods and goodies.

Despite the presence of about 160 Hindraf supporters who sought to plead for the release of Internal Security Act detainees (see below), the entire event proceeded in a smooth and orderly fashion, said PWTC chief executive officer and president Datuk Yaakob Mohammad.

'All was in order and things went on smoothly and under control,' he told reporters.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Abdullah Ahmad Badawi said the open house was something that was needed by everyone.

'Hari Raya has become like a national event, a holiday for all. It is an atmosphere of good mixing and good bonding,' he said.

He felt that there were some who were uneasy about race relations in the country at the moment.

'We need something like this, where no one feels threatened and no one feels too uneasy to come to,' he said.

Abdullah said that the size of the crowd this year was similar to last year's and he hoped that people would take advantage of the festival to visit others.

'The visitors are from all races. We have tourists and foreigners too. The spirit of Raya is there and it (the festival) is being celebrated by all races, he said.

Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said the currently global economic crisis had not dampened the Hari Raya mood.

We need not be unduly worried about the economy because our fundamentals are sound and I see that the global economic problem has not affected Hari Raya celebrations, he said.

Najib, the newly appointed Finance Minister, said Malaysia was well insulated against external shocks from the tumbling financial markets worldwide.

We do not expect a backlash as major as that experienced by many other nations, he added.

The crowds had ceased arriving at about 5.30pm.