15/03/2026

ON SUNDAY March 15, 2026 theSunday Special III

Zandra Zane is a content creator cur rently completing her degree. Originally from Sarawak, Zandra’s balik kampung journey changed when she relocated to Kuala Lumpur. Back in the day, it was all about the long car rides to reach her hometown. Now, instead of worrying DERXW WUḊ F MDPV IRU KRXUV VKH FDQ ERRN D ÀLJKW DQG EH KRPH LQ D IHZ KRXUV ,W LV GH¿QLWHO\ IDVWHU DQG IXVV IUHH )RU =DQGUD faster travel means more time with family and that is what counts.

still something to be celebrated. Life goes on and that process taught me resilience,” Rizal shared. Rizal now prefers riding his motorcycle WR KLV KRPHWRZQ LQ 0HODND ,W LV GH¿QLWHO\ IDVWHU DYRLGV WUḊ F MDPV DQG VXLWV KLP better since he is travelling alone. Being single has made Rizal’s Raya WUDYHO PRUH ÀH[LEOH DQG HQMR\DEOH HV pecially when riding his motorcycle. His work as a tailor and designer also plays a big role, as he is usually busy preparing his clients’ Raya garments, especially baju Melayu , in the lead-up to the festive season. “Social media apps and group chats are very important in planning my Raya jour ney. I rely on my phone to stay updated on personal matters, work commitments and family. Since my parents passed away, I always tried my best to keep in touch with my siblings via our group chat. “We don’t get to see each other as much, but for Raya, we will always gather and celebrate in Melaka. The group chat makes coordination for our Raya plan much easier,” Rizal emphasised. Some might say motorcycles are more dangerous than any other mode of trans portation. Rizal does have his concerns about his safety on the road, but not VLJQL¿FDQWO\ PRUH WKDQ EHIRUH EHFDXVH KH is always careful and tries his best to stay alert. He makes sure that he is well-rested and ready before travelling long distances. “Despite everything, the excitement of balik kampung never changes. After a month of fasting, celebrating Raya is VRPHWKLQJ VSHFLDO , VWLOO VSHQG WKH ¿UVW day of Raya visiting and celebrating with my uncles, aunts, siblings and extended family and that feeling remains the same every year,” said Rizal, very much looking forward to this year’s celebration in his hometown.

For many Malaysians, returning home for Raya is about reconnecting with loved ones.

Raya’s spirit remains Menswear designer Rizal Latif has also made some changes to his Raya celebra WLRQ SODQV 1R PDWWHU KRZ GL̇ FXOW WKH spirit of Raya lives on. Just because the circumstances have changed, balik kam pung will still be in the itinerary. “My balik kampung journey has changed a lot over the years, especially as my life circumstances evolved. When I had a small family, Raya was more excited and full of shared activities and celebrations. During the pandemic, I went through a GL̇ FXOW SHULRG LQFOXGLQJ D GLYRUFH ZKLFK FKDQJHG WKH H[SHULHQFH VLJQL¿FDQWO\ “It is not easy to explain everything I went through, but when Raya comes, it is

“Things have shifted a lot over the years. Previously, we had these huge, loud family gatherings with cousins running around, tons of food and loud conversations back home. Now, some family members are no longer with us. Some are already married with their own families. “So we just gather whenever we can and celebrate in a way that feels natural. The vibe is more intimate now, but in a good way. We would rather just focus on being grateful for the time, the health and the little blessings we sometimes take for granted,” Zandra recalled. One part of balik kampung that will always feel the same for Zandra is the anticipation of feasting on all the good food. Knowing that all the good foods like rendang, ketupat and lemang are waiting for her makes the journey back home even more exciting. “Honestly, just thinking about it makes PH ZDQW WR ERRN D ÀLJKW ULJKW WKLV VHFRQG I miss the smell of mum’s rendang, the taste of ketupat and all the little things that make balik kampung totally worth it. No matter how much things change, the love in the food stays the same.”

We would rather just focus on being grateful for the time, the health and the little blessings we sometimes take for granted.”

Zandra

Planning ahead “Planning is everything now. I do all the research, from Google to travel apps and forums. I compare all the airline options and, most importantly, prices. I pick the date and time that makes the most sense. )OH[LELOLW\ LV NH\ EHFDXVH LI VRPHWKLQJ FKDQJHV \RX MXVW KDYH WR JR ZLWK WKH ÀRZ Honestly, I feel like I spend more time planning the trip than actually travelling VRPHWLPHV %XW LW LV DOO DERXW PDNLQJ WKH journey smooth and stress-free,” Zandra pointed out. With all the research and booking that she has to do, Zandra relies very heavily on technology for her balik kampung journey and Raya planning. Discussion about the Raya colour theme, for instance, begins months before the celebration. It is hard to imagine doing the planning and communicating this way. Technology GH¿QLWHO\ PDNHV LW HDVLHU WR FRRUGLQDWH share updates, and avoid last-minute chaos. Safety has become such a big priority. It is no longer just about getting home fast. It is about getting there safely and that matters way more now. News reports about accidents or careless driving always make Zandra seriously rethink her travel plans hundreds, if not thousands, of times. She always makes sure she leaves earlier and double-checks the condition of her FDU DQG KHU ÀLJKW GHWDLOV

Despite everything, the excitement of balik kampung never changes.”

Technology and communication devices play a very important role in planning for Raya.

Rizal