7/09/2025

NATIONAL 3 theSun on Sunday SEPT 7, 2025

Traditions, beliefs meet in Hungry Ghost Festival

KEPALA BATAS: The Human Resources Ministry is drafting amendments to the Employees’ Social Security Act 1969 to provide 24-hour protection for workers under the Social Security Organisation. Human Resources Minister Steven Sim said if there are no issues, the Bill is expected to be tabled in Parliament this year. The move aims to offer comprehensive coverage, extending beyond working hours. “I am grateful it has been approved by the Cabinet after several years of advocacy and we are now drafting amendments to the Act. “For example, if an employee takes his wife and children out for dinner after work, he currently has no protection. After the amendments, 24-hour coverage will be provided, including outside working hours,” he said after the 2025 National Trade Union Assembly in Bertam yesterday. Sim added that the amendments were necessary given the existing gap in coverage, as only 40% of Malaysians are protected by private insurance. He explained that expanded protection would allow workers to access health treatment, rehabilitation and other services in the event of an unforeseen incident, ensuring their well-being and supporting a competitive workforce. Meanwhile, the ministry has begun reviewing 28 labour laws under its purview to ensure national legislation offers up-to-date protection for workers. The review includes major laws such as the Employment Act 1955, Sabah Labour Ordinance and the Sarawak Labour Ordinance. Sim also highlighted that low-income earners can now access free legal services at the Industrial Court through collaboration between the ministry, Bar Council, Sabah Law Society and the Advocates Association of Sarawak. – Bernama 24-hour protection for workers in pipeline Tremors a wake-up call on seismic risks KUALA LUMPUR: A series of minor earthquakes in Johor has highlighted the low level of public awareness on seismic risks in Malaysia, said disaster management expert Raja Segaran Kuppusamy. The former head engineer for disaster risk reduction at the United Nations’ International Organisation for Migration in Iraq added that many Malaysians still assume the country is safe from earthquakes, even as shifting tectonic plates alter local geological conditions. “People don’t believe earthquakes could happen here. They think only of floods, haze and landslides. But when tremors struck Johor, they were shocked. This shows awareness is still very limited,” he told Bernama. He explained that although Malaysia lies outside the Pacific Ring of Fire, it is increasingly affected by the active Sunda plate. Tremors in Johor should be treated as early warning signs, as stronger quakes could trigger landslides, floods, tsunamis and severe damage to infrastructure. Raja Segaran called for a more holistic approach at state, district and grassroots levels to raise awareness, citing Middle Eastern countries where governments practise “communication with communities” to share early warnings. He added that Japan and China have built resilience through decades of experience and close cooperation between authorities and citizens.

Rituals, taboos and folklore highlight Malaysia’s enduring connection to ancestral heritage

unexplained occurrences. @MoonMoon143 wrote how fruits on altars sometimes shrivelled overnight, while identical ones in the kitchen remained fresh. For human resources executive Vanessa Chin, 27, the festival has always carried a sense of mystery. “My parents told me it marks the opening of the ‘Gates of Hell,’ when spirits return to the human world,” she said. Although her family does not observe the rituals, she has long been intrigued by Getai – colourful stage shows performed for both the living and the dead. “These stages are often set up near neighbourhood shops, with singers or opera troupes performing. The front row of seats is always left empty for the spirits. I’ve never joined in properly as it always felt a little creepy,” she said. Her parents also warned her not to touch offerings, adding that spirits would follow her if she did. Other taboos, Chin added, include never tapping someone on the shoulder or turning around if your name is called from behind, superstitions that she feels make the festival distinctive. For accountant Li Mei Ling, 29, the festival once centred on “feeding” deceased relatives through food and joss paper offerings. While her grandparents observed the rituals strictly, her family has since grown less involved. “As a child, I never dared touch the offerings because I was told spirits would chase me if I did. “Today, it’s mostly the older generation that still follow them. For younger ones, it’s more of a tradition we notice but don’t really take part in.”

where he got them, he said he picked them up on the way to school, not realising they were Hungry Ghost offerings outside people’s homes.” For others, pets, rather than people, were causing trouble. @AngelBear1107 described how their family dog once stole a pau from a neighbour’s altar. To avert bad luck, their aunt rushed to the supermarket late at night, bought frozen pau , steamed them and quietly replaced the missing bun. Another user, @SulkingOnion, shared a stranger tale. “My dog took a bite of the offering a few years ago. Now, we occasionally see a second dog in the house, walking just out of sight before disappearing.” Not all stories were light-hearted. @Select_Yesterday8135 recounted how their mother once stepped on a pile of burned joss paper and suffered a month of misfortune afterwards. Some contributors reflected on the deeper meaning of the rituals. @TyrantRex6604 shared that offerings also serve a social function. “In this way, society benefits. I also think people are eligible to take offerings. They are for the ‘hungry ghosts,’ not necessarily the dead.” Meanwhile, @Jahlim explained that food offered during prayers is often shared later. He added that a common superstition states that parents should never let children sit on the offering table as it may cause temporary illness. Then, there are others who described

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: Each year during the Hungry Ghost Festival, pavements and street corners across Malaysia transform into makeshift shrines. Small altars with fruits, pau , roasted chicken, sweets and folded joss paper line the streets, offerings to appease wandering spirits believed to roam the Earth during the seventh lunar month. Also known as Zhong Yuan Jie , the festival is rooted in Taoist and Buddhist traditions. According to Chinese belief, the “Gates of Hell” open on the first day of the lunar month, allowing spirits to visit the living world. The 15th day marks the peak, when prayers, offerings and elaborate stage performances are held to honour and pacify restless souls before the gates close at the end of the month. This year, the “Ghost Month” runs from Aug 23 to Sept 21, with the Hungry Ghost Festival observed yesterday. Families carry out rituals to ward off misfortune and show respect to both ancestors and wandering spirits. But as a recent Reddit discussion revealed, offerings do not always remain untouched, with stories ranging from comical to unsettling. One user, @Final-Revolution-823, recounted a teenage incident. “When I was 17, my school friend came to class with a big bag of candies and handed them out. Everyone thought it was just a treat, but when I asked IPOH: Four more Madani Recreational Parks were launched yesterday as part of the government’s target to develop 1,000 parks nationwide by 2035 to enhance community well-being. Housing and Local Government Minister Nga Kor Ming said the four parks, part of 12 built within the Ipoh City Council administrative area, were completed in July as scheduled. The new parks are located in Taman Pusing Baru, Taman Kledang, Taman Pengkalan Barat and Taman Westpool. “In Ipoh alone, the Housing and Local Government Ministry has allocated RM5.4 million for the construction of 12 parks. Today, we launched four, while the remaining eight have been completed but not yet officiated. “Nevertheless, the parks are already being used and have received very positive feedback. The parks are not only spaces for leisure and recreation, but also serve as a form of physiotherapy to support mental health,” Nga said after officiating at the park at Taman Westpool. He added that the ministry surpassed its target last year with 109 parks completed, while another 100 are expected to be ready this year, bringing the total to 216 by year-end.

Four more Madani recreational parks opened in Ipoh

Nga giving his stamp of approval after officiating at the park at Taman Westpool. – BERNAMAPIC

He also reminded the public to help maintain the parks, following complaints of minor damage caused by irresponsible users. “Everyone must take responsibility in caring for these facilities. Although the damage reported are not serious, I hope we can achieve zero vandalism.” – Bernama

Nga also launched the Kampung Kepayang Gateway yesterday morning, describing it as a milestone for the first Malay village in Ipoh. “After 110 years, the residents finally have a new gateway. The Madani government will continue to ensure the parks become iconic landmarks and community favourites,” he said.