Four dentistry students forgo balik kampung for safety
Determined to keep the Covid-19 virus at bay and family members safe, four dental students decided to put their balik kampung plan on hold.
Second-year dental student Nur Amelia Wahida, 23, said she and her friends decided to stay back in Penang and not head home for the festive season this year.
“Two of us are from Terengganu, one of us is from Kedah and the other friend is from Kelantan. As we are not home for Hari Raya, we decided to spend some time at the mall and get some nice food to reward ourselves.
“Since the number of positive Covid-19 cases is on the rise and we will be having our examination next week, we decided to stay put instead of going home.
“Despite our examination being an online one, it is more convenient for us to study together and have discussions.
“Although we feel sad that we are away from home for the celebration, we are lucky to have each other,” she said when met at a mall here yesterday
Nur Amelia said they had an “open room” at their hostel on the first day of Hari Raya.
“Everyone ordered their favourite dish and brought it over to a friend’s room to enjoy. Thankfully, we made it home for Hari Raya last year as all studies were online during the first movement control order,” she said.
Penang Water Supply Corporation officer Mohd Hasli Mohd Hussain, 43, was seen spending some time at the mall with his wife Anita Saad, 41.
“It’s a muted Raya this year as my family could not visit my in-laws in Lumut, Perak.
“On the first day of Raya, my family only stayed at home. Luckily, I still have my two children aged 10 and 21 with us for Raya.
“I am thankful that my wife cooked her Raya special dishes, which include rendang and ayam merah, to enlighten the festive mood.
“Since we live near the mall, my wife and I decided to drop by to get some groceries and admire the Raya decorations for a while,” he said.