Kota Kinabalu: Around 10,000 people gathered at Padang Merdeka here on Saturday to celebrate the Kenduri Rakyat of celebrity Bella Astillah and Muar Member of Parliament Syed Saddiq Abdul Rahman.
Thousands of visitors and fans of the popular couple had begun queueing outside the venue as early as 8am to share in the occasion.
Many attendees arrived dressed in traditional attire representing various ethnic groups from across Sabah.
Bella, whose real name is Dayang Ara Nabellah Awang Astillah, told the Daily Express that guests had been encouraged, though not obliged, to wear traditional attire.
She noted that guests could attend in whatever attire suited their personal comfort, stressing that the priority was simply to celebrate the occasion together with fellow Sabahans.
Expressing hope that the event would highlight pride in the state’s heritage, Bella pointed out that Sabah is home to more than 70 ethnic groups, adding that members of her own family were wearing traditional Kadayan, Kadazan, and Bajau Samah attire.
Known collectively as BASS, the couple tied the knot at Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur on Oct 10 and held a reception at Mitec on Oct 18, followed by a Kenduri Rakyat in Muar on Oct 25 before bringing the festivities to Sabah on Saturday.
