No rush to buy essentials
Quiet celebration means no scrambling for raya shopping
With small celebrations being the order of the day, there was no scrambling for last-minute Hari Raya essentials in shopping malls and wet markets.
Supplies of everything, from fresh produce to festive essentials, were evidently plentiful even on the eve Hari Raya.
Housewife Anisha Mohomad Sofi, 29, said due to the interstate and inter-district travel restrictions, she would only get to celebrate the occasion with her husband and two siblings, who are studying in Penang, this year.
“It has been two years since I last spent Hari Raya Aidilfitri holidays with my parents in Kuala Lumpur.
“For me, Raya will not be the same if there are no large gatherings.
“Luckily, I still get to celebrate with my husband and two siblings.
“I hope the virus can be contained soon so that life can be back to normal again,” she said.
Anisha, who was seen doing her festive shopping at Chowrasta market here yesterday, said she would cook several special dishes such as rendang and soto for the occasion.
She also bought beef and cattle bone to make soup, and cow’s liver to cook sambal for the family.
Civil servant Noor Eddura Che Hassan, 36, said it would be a small family affair for the festive celebration this year, where she will cook dishes like rendang, lontong and laksa for her husband and three children.
“Although I could not go back to my hometown in Perak for two years in a row, I’m thankful that my family can still celebrate the festive season together,” said Noor Eddura, who was seen buying vegetables and essentials at Chowrasta market yesterday.
Housewife Noraidila Abdul Majid, 36, said she could not head back to her hometown in Kedah for the celebration due to the interstate travel ban.
“I guess the celebration this time will be just me, my husband and two children,” she said.
Noraidila said she had bought ingredients to cook lontong, laksa, nasi tomato, ketupat and rendang.
“I will be preparing my special Raya menu to make them happy,” she said.
General clerk Nabilah Shaik Abdul Rahman, 24, came to Komtar to buy a new headscarf for Hari Raya.
“There is not much to prepare for this Raya due to the MCO, but thankfully my family is here and we get to celebrate together,” she said.