‘Revenge Raya’ ahead after 2 years of pandemic restrictions

Anticipation is building ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri tomorrow with celebrations expected at levels unseen since the onset of Covid-19 and the accompanying swathe of restrictions on social events.

As the country eases into what the government describes as the transition towards endemicity, signs of celebration are even now evident throughout the capital city where families eager to spend the occasion with their loved ones once more are heralding what might aptly be called the “revenge Raya”.

Traffic congestion has been ongoing throughout the month of Ramadan, especially at shopping hotspots such as Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur.

Visits to the popular shopping district found it buzzing with activity, with entire families, children in tow, staying out late to take in the sights and purchase clothes and essential goods ahead of the celebration.

Such shoppers, keen to celebrate after two years of restrictions, are a boon to traders whose businesses suffered badly throughout the pandemic.

Aziz Muhammad, who runs clothing outlet Lat’s Collection in Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, said sales had dropped by up to 80% throughout the movement control order periods, forcing him to let go of nearly half of his workers.

“Last year, we had some business but not as much as this year because only those in Kuala Lumpur and Selangor could come,” he said, referring to the restrictions on interstate travel which were only lifted late last year.

“This year, all of Malaysia is coming to shop,” he added.

And the difference is clear to see. In just one week, his store had more sales than it did the whole of last year.

Even so, things are still far from normal, pre-pandemic levels.

“Before 2018, we could make up to RM60,000 in sales on Friday alone,” Aziz said.

Still, with the economy reopening and SOPs at mosques and suraus gradually lifted on the back of a successful vaccination programme, this year’s Raya celebration promises to be a break from that of the past two years.

The reopening of state borders has also meant a flurry of activity by so-called personal shoppers who help customers purchase items in the capital city which are not available in their home towns.

Nur Atikah, from Kota Samarahan in Sarawak, is one of them.

Speaking to MalaysiaNow, she said she helps customers who, for example, want household items from Swedish furniture giant Ikea.

She charges a small service fee of several ringgit per item and arranges for the goods to be sent directly to their front doors.

“I have a lot of fun,” she said, adding that such work helps reduce her feelings of stress.

“I get to go to the stores and earn some money at the same time.”

Aleya from Miri said she, too, had seen a surge in demand for her services as a personal shopper – up to twice the normal number of requests.

More requests mean that she must take extra care with the orders to avoid making a mistake or providing unsatisfactory services.

“I always look carefully when it comes to buying branded products like handbags, clothes and accessories to make sure that the quality is good and the price is appropriate,” she said.

“I also keep myself up-to-date with the latest products on the market.”

Meanwhile, hotels are gearing up for a surge in occupancy rate of up to 40 or 45%.

Yap Yip Seng, CEO of the Malaysian Association Of Hotels, said this could rise to 60 or even 70% in Melaka and east coast states.

“However, the industry is also expecting Malaysians to travel overseas instead, since our borders are open,” he said.