Less last-minute shopping compared to previous years
SIBU: There was less lastminute shopping here yesterday for Hari Raya Aidilfitri compared to the excitement and rushing about of previous years.
A check found the usually packed shopping complexes with fewer shoppers as members of the Muslim community scale down their celebration due to restrictions under the current Conditional Movement Control Order (CMCO).
Housewife Halimah Ali noted the CMCO could be the reason fewer people were out and about than usual.
“We were advised not to go for Hari Raya visiting as it used to be.
“We were also reminded not to gather in a big group of not more than 20 persons,” she said.
She said the Covid-19 pandemic has not only negatively impacted the economy, but also changed how such a joyful festival is celebrated.
“That is why I only shop for the necessary items as compared to the many previous years, where I spend more than what I’ve spent today,” she shared.
Mahmud Udin, who cuts grass for a living, said although the roads were busy, fewer people were shopping for the festival.
“As we can observe at the local shopping malls, there seems to be less excitement with fewer people going for the last minute rush for festive shopping.
“As we’re only allowed to celebrate Hari Raya at home as there is no ngabang (house to house visiting), there is no point to waste our budget,” he said.
He added this could be viewed as a positive where many could save rather than spend unnecessarily during Aidilfitri.