FORMER prime minister Najib Razak said he is adjusting to the “new reality” of life outside the government, as he hosted a low-key Raya open house attended by about 500 guests, in Pekan, Pahang today.

The former Umno president’s do was in stark contrast to the lavish affairs he hosted in Putrajaya during his nine  he was prime minister for nine years.

“This time Raya feels different compared with Raya before. We are no more serving in the government,” he told reporters.

“We will continue the efforts to improve the wellbeing of the people and to serve well the people who have given us the trust.”

The Pekan MP said he had hoped to have a “modest” and “homely” open house and was pleased with the small turnout.

“We wanted to keep it modest compared to previously. I’m happy with the number of people who came. We wanted to have it more homely,” Najib said.

Asked if he missed his old life as prime minister, Najib said it was important to be able to adapt.

“It’s not a question of miss, you just have to adjust to the new reality. That is all.”

In Putrajaya, his predecessor-turned-successor Dr Mahathir Mohamad is also hosting a Raya open house today, for which thousands of people showed up well before time to wait at the gates of Seri Perdana.

The crowd is growing as the day progresses as more turn up hoping for a glimpse of the 92-year-old Dr Mahathir and a chance to take a photo with him.

At Najib’s house in Pekan, it was an obviously quieter affair with plenty of room and food for the guests.

Najib who reluctantly handed over the reins to Pakatan Harapan chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad following BN’s defeat in the May 9 general election, is also facing investigations by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) for his involvement in the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) scandal.

Najib’s residence in Jalan Langgak Duta and three luxury condominium units at Pavilion Residences linked to him were raided the week after PH took office.

The raids at Pavilion Residences yielded RM114 million in cash, and 284 boxes of handbags, jewellery and watches.

The seizures were made as part of investigations into Najib’s part in the theft of funds allegedly stolen from 1MDB.

Najib and wife Rosmah Mansor have both been barred from leaving Malaysia, and have been questioned by the MACC over their alleged involvement with a former 1MDB subsidiary SRC International, which investigators believe had been used to transfer millions of dollars into Najib’s personal bank account. – June 15, 2018.