People willing to sacrifice for safety
By Teh Athira Yusof and Farah Solhi - April 16, 2021 @ 9:00am
Malaysians are willing to forego celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri in their hometowns to keep Covid-19 at bay.
While some are looking for alternative ways to usher in the start of Syawal, others are making early arrangements to care for elderly family members.
Amirah Aidel, 26, said she was mentally prepared to miss out on celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri with her parents and in-laws in Sarawak.
"If the government decides to do away with interstate travel for Hari Raya, it will be my second year of celebrating without my parents. It's probably going to be another Raya via Zoom.
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"Honestly, I expect the travel ban to be maintained as daily Covid-19 numbers are increasing, and many Malaysians have yet to be vaccinated. It will be safer for us not to travel during the festive season to avoid another surge in cases," said the mother of a 2-year-old girl.
She was reacting to Health Minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba's announcement yesterday on the possibility of the government postponing any form of interstate travel during Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
Baker and freelance writer Shakilawati Abd Rahman, 43, was looking for alternative ways to keep in touch with her family in her hometown during Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
She will send cookies and fabric to make baju kurung for her 79-year-old mother in Baling, Kedah.
"The most affected are my three children, especially my youngest. My mother has been video-calling them every day and they will ask her when she is returning to Kuala Lumpur.
"Of course, it is sad for us. We feel empty not having her during Hari Raya."
Shakilawati said her mother previously stayed with her after her father died in 2008, but she later moved to Baling to stay with her brother.
"My mother and I have many traditions for Raya which I look forward to. We would make rendang pedas ayam, ketupat palas, nasi dagang and sambal udang petai. I think I'll send some of my rendang to her by bus, or some biscuits by post."
She said she will adhere to any interstate travel ban because senior citizens were in the high-risk group.
"It's our responsibility to take care of the elderly. We need to embrace the new norm for everyone's safety."
Postgraduate student Tasnim Lokman, who is based in Kuantan, said the interstate travel ban should be maintained until the number of daily cases dropped to a double-digit figure.
"My family and my husband's family are in Kuala Lumpur and we fear returning there as it is a red zone. I'm sacrificing my Hari Raya for the second year in a row. It is best to isolate your family from others because you don't know who is carrying the virus," said the mother of two.
Entrepreneur Sabrina Bolivar said her family planned to get permission from the police to bring her 77-year-old grandmother from Terengganu to Kuala Lumpur.
She said members of her family had been taking turns to travel to Terengganu since last year to care for her grandmother. For Hari Raya Aidilfitri, they planned to bring her to Kuala Lumpur instead.
"Whenever we seek permission, the police will file our request as a trip for welfare purposes. As our grandmother's caretakers, we always provide the necessary documents."
University student Mohamad Danish Jaffri, 22, admitted he was sad when he heard the news yesterday.
"I'm from Penang and I currently stay on campus in Shah Alam. It'll be my first time celebrating Aidilfitri without my family. I guess I'll make do by celebrating with my friends and on campus," he said.
Electronic engineer, Afiq Zaki, 26, said it was better to be safe than sorry.
"I know some folks haven't seen their families for quite some time, but the number of cases is still high even with our current movement controls.
"Just imagine what would happen if there is mass exodus of people during Hari Raya?
"We don't need to look far as even the Ramadan bazaars are overcrowded."