{
  "id": 17371245,
  "title": "#SHOWBIZ: More than 20,000 turn up for Bella-Syed Saddiq's Kota Kinabalu reception",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/31/showbiz-more-than-20-000-turn-up-for-bella-syed-saddiqs-kota-kinabalu",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-10-31T08:42:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/lifestyle/groove/2026/10/1567655/showbiz-more-20000-turn-bella-syed-saddiqs-kota-kinabalu-reception"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "KOTA KINABALU: As early as 5.30am, people began gathering at Padang Merdeka in Kota Kinabalu to celebrate celebrity Bella Astillah and Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman's marriage in a kenduri rakyat. The reception drew over 20,000 attendees, transforming the city's central field into a bustling sea of well-wishers. Traditional outfits representing various ethnic communities added color to the festivities, highlighting Sabah's rich cultural diversity and harmony. These included Bajau Semporna, Bajau Sama, Kadazan, Dusun Tindal, Dusun Kujau, Murut, Bugis, Bidayuh, and Lundayeh attire, each displaying distinctive cultural heritage. Guest Cynthia D. Baga appreciated the large turnout, stating it allowed for the display of Sabah's rich cultural heritage. Esther Glorie Leow found the wedding reception special, as it brought together people of all ages and backgrounds to celebrate the newlyweds, emphasizing the beauty of cultural diversity in Sabah. Bella and Syed Saddiq arrived around 1pm, with Datuk Mustapha Sakmud, a minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Sabah and Sarawak), among the attendees.",
  "summary": "KOTA KINABALU: Crowds began gathering at Padang Merdeka here as early as 5.30am today, eager to join celebrity Bella Astillah and Muar MP Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman in celebrating their marriage at a kenduri rakyat.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}