KUALA LUMPUR – The unexpected announcement that Hari Raya Aidilfitri was to start a day earlier has sparked equal parts panic and euphoria among those celebrating and caught unprepared.
Observations found that following the announcement yesterday, malls and boutiques were packed with last-minute shoppers looking to score a bargain.
Many city dwellers admitted to being pleasantly surprised by the announcement despite preparing for Hari Raya celebrations to kick off on Tuesday, with hordes of shoppers seen at local malls and bazaars.
Siti Qhairunnisa Sulaiman, 29, said she was surprised but elated at the same time when it was announced that Hari Raya would be brought forward by a day.
“I did panic when the announcement came out, but we take it in stride and see it as fun times, especially after two years of being unable to celebrate the holiday in full festivity,” she told Getaran, The Vibes’ sister publication.
Siti said having an early Raya was exciting news but admitted it had affected their holiday plans and arrangements made earlier.
“We had actually planned to spend Hari Raya in Rawang, but considering how we have yet to finish preparations, we might just spend Raya here,” she said when met at the bazaars around Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman.
Another shopper, Kecil Abdullah, 27, said his initial plan to buy his baju Melayu had fallen through after the new dates were announced.
“Every Malaysian was frantic, including me, and I think I will have to re-use last year’s Raya clothes and maybe buy a new baju Melayu maybe only tomorrow,” he said.
“I have no choice, I haven’t had the time to buy and I have to drive back to my hometown in Kedah tonight,” Kecil said, adding that he had to forgo getting a haircut as well.
The announcement also meant businesses had to open longer to meet the last-minute surge in demand from Raya shoppers, according to a stall operator who identified herself as Nurul.
“We were shocked with the announcement of Aidilfitri being a day earlier, even though I had already prepared to operate for longer hours,” she said.
“Our manager had also reminded us to operate slightly longer than usual as many were looking to do some last-minute shopping.”
Nurul, who has been working at the stall for five years, said it had become a norm to operate slightly longer than usual during festive seasons.
“This is the first-time people are allowed to celebrate Aidilfitri after two years in lockdown, so it would of course see more people come out and visit premises like ours,” she said.
“We operate until 3am to make sure people can find the pieces of clothing that they want.” — The Vibes, May 2, 2022
