‘Mum, We Can Balik Kampung’ - The Star

Aking

Junaid Ibrahim

PETALING JAYA: It’s a case of December delight for Malaysians who have “unfinished business” out-of-town as they can now resume interstate travel.

For many of them, they are thrilled to have the chance to go sight-seeing or see their loved ones again.

Graphic artist Din Bakar, 40, said he was worried about his mother who lives alone in Merlimau, Melaka, as he has not been able to go home for months.

“I called my mum the minute I heard the announcement, ” he said, referring to Saturday’s news by the government that the conditional movement control order would end in most states.

This means that interstate travel ban will no longer be enforced from today except for areas under the enhanced MCO.

Din, who is based here, said his mother was happy that he could balik kampung.

“I will rearrange my off days and go home soon, ” he said,

It is a similar case for Kuala Lumpur-based hotel executive Chang Ling Yen, who plans to travel to Melaka to see her parents.

“It’s not that we will ignore any prevailing public health rules but the green light (to travel) is good news since it has been a tough year, ” said Chang, 35.

She said she would take the chance to catch up with her mother, younger sister and close friends, besides patronising her favourite food stalls.

Retiree Irene Nadason, 65, said she was anticipating a visit from her children for a reunion dinner before Christmas.

“Now that they don’t need a police permit to come home, it will be easier, ” said Irene, who lives in Rawang, Selangor.

Online seller Zuraida Ibrahim, 51, said her family was looking forward to see their loved ones in Kelantan and Penang.

“We will make sure we follow the SOP (standard operating procedure) when travelling, ” said the mother of five who lives in Ampang, Kuala Lumpur.

She said her children, especially her 15-year-old son, who is the youngest, had been staying at home for months.

Thus, she said a family holiday would be good for them.

Media planner Nurul Baroqah Ahmad, 25, who got married in June, said she and her husband had to postpone their honeymoon to Sabah due to the travel restrictions.

“It will be great to be able to travel normally again, ” she said.

But for now, Nurul Baroqah said she would stay home to avoid the year-end crowd.

“We should not get too excited because the virus is still out there, ” she added.

Teaching assistant Rupathy Subramaniam, concurred, saying: “We are still fighting the Covid-19 war.”

The year-end festive celebration would be a low-key affair, said Rupathy, 53.

In Johor Baru, housewife Jihad Syahida Nadia Zakaria, 33, said she planned to go to Langkawi for her wedding anniversary with her husband and three-year-old daughter at the end of this month.

Her daughter, she said, enjoyed playing in the sand.

“We had wanted to go there in November but it was postponed due to the conditional MCO, ” she said.

Marketing executive Saif Arman will proceed with his visit to Semporna, Sabah, which was planned for earlier this year but deferred due to the pandemic.

“I have been to Kundasang before. I really miss the greenery, the hill views and everything about Sabah, ” said Saif, 26.

“Now I’m looking forward to go island hopping – Mabul, Kapalai and Bohey Dulang.”

Hotel Public Relations officer Charlotte Monterio plans to spend Christmas with her family in Melaka.

“My siblings and I have been looking forward to our get-together. The last time I went back was in August, ” said Charlotte, 35.

Lawyer Andrea Eng, 34, said she would be going to Kuala Lumpur and Penang to spend time with her friends and family.

And shopping, of course.

“I think if we abide by the SOP, everything will be fine, ” she said.

msdummy.2018

balik jer..buang masa ko patuh sop tp kes naik mcm biasa jerrrr