SELAYANG, March 16 — Preparations for Hari Raya Aidilfitri this year appear more modest, with many people choosing to spend carefully to avoid waste when purchasing festive necessities.
A Media Selangor survey found that most families have begun their preparations earlier to ensure purchases are more organised and to help them manage their spending.
For Kampung Melayu Seri Gombak resident Zaida Mail, 56, this year’s preparations are modest, as she is not buying new clothes or items since her existing clothing is still in good condition.
She said the current economic situation and rising prices have encouraged her to be more thrifty by cooking at home and preparing festive biscuits herself.
“Aidilfitri preparations are very modest. I am not buying anything new; I will just wear what I already have. For food, I only buy a small amount, including frozen items at discounted sales markets,” Zaida said during the Jualan Agro MADANI programme organised by the Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority at Dataran Ilmu Bandar Baru Selayang today.
Nonetheless, she is thankful for the announcement of an additional public holiday for Aidilfitri, which allows her to spend more time with her three children and two grandchildren.
Meanwhile, Mohamad Nur Lizwan Ishak, 28, from Rawang, said he began his preparations earlier to better control spending, and opportunities to shop at discount sales programmes have helped reduce the cost of festive preparations.
“I bought groceries and my Aidilfitri clothes earlier. Many places are offering affordable sales. In Rawang, there is the Jualan Ehsan Rahmah, and today, there is the Jualan Agro MADANI in Taman Templer,” he said.
Lizwan added that the announcement of an additional public holiday also allows people to better plan their journeys home for the celebrations and avoid traffic congestion.
Senior citizen Ani Mahmood, 69, said her festive preparations are made according to her means, with zakat assistance as an asnaf (tithe recipient) helping her purchase essential items for Aidilfitri.
“I prepare according to what I can afford. I use zakat money to buy essential items for Aidilfitri,” said the Kampung Selayang Pandang resident.
She also expressed gratitude for the additional public holiday announcement, which makes it easier to plan Aidilfitri celebrations as the longer break gives her the opportunity to spend time with her two children, who live in Johor and Pulau Pinang.
Yesterday, Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim announced an additional one-day public holiday in conjunction with Aidilfitri, either on Friday (March 20) or the following Monday (March 23).
Semlam, Perdana Menteri, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim mengumumkan cuti am tambahan sehari sempena Aidilfitri sama ada pada Jumaat depan atau Isnin berikutnya.
The holiday on Monday will be observed if Syawal 1 falls on Friday, while it will be brought forward to Friday if Syawal 1 falls on Saturday (March 21).
