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Last-minute shopping part of Aidilfitri experience

Raya reunion rare occasion for firefighters

something many shoppers expect as the festive season approaches. “Prices always seem to go up closer to Raya, and this year is no exception.” He also said while he usually keeps his spending on clothing below RM150, some festive outfits could cost as much as RM500, a price he feels is excessive. Although he did not shop last minute this year, he acknowledged that late shoppers could sometimes find significant bargains. “Sometimes you could get discounts of up to 50% for the same items that were expensive earlier,” he said, adding that such deals often come with crowded malls and bazaars as many shoppers adopt the same strategy. For Irdina Mohd Ali, 27, preparing early helps her avoid the last-minute crowds that typically fill shopping centres. “I usually prepare everything before Ramadan because I prefer to avoid the last-minute Raya crowds.” However, she admitted that her shopping habits vary depending on the item. “For baju raya , I tend to buy them early as I’m worried my size might run out. “But for accessories such as shawls or kerongsang , I usually purchase them closer to Raya since they are less important.” She added that prices often drop as the festive season draws nearer, as some traders try to clear remaining stock. “There are often attractive deals closer to Raya, but the downside is that sizes and designs may be limited.” She typically allocates about RM400 to RM450 for shopping, but admitted that new collections released towards the end of Ramadan could be tempting. “Occasionally I do feel (like I’m missing out), but I remind myself that I don’t really need it.” Still, she said enjoys going out during the festive shopping period. “Even if I don’t buy anything, I like doing a bit of window shopping to experience the Raya atmosphere. It only comes once a year.”

Ű BY KIRTINEE RAMESH newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING JAYA: With Hari Raya Aidilfitri fast approaching, many shoppers are making their final preparations and for some, the rush of last-minute buying has become part of the festive experience. For 26-year-old Nur Alis Azreena, who works in internal communications, shopping close to the celebration is a familiar routine, even if it means navigating packed malls and limited options. “I usually take quite a long time to decide on the colour, design and brand for my baju kurung and decorations so I end up shopping at the last minute.” She said despite the hectic atmosphere, she enjoys the excitement that comes with the festive rush. “I like the feeling of rushing and seeing crowded places with people doing their shopping.” However, leaving purchases until the last minute has its challenges. She said some items she wanted were already sold out, forcing her to look for alternatives, while crowded shopping centres mean competing with other shoppers for the last items on the shelves. Still, Nur Alis expressed belief that there are advantages to waiting. “Sometimes prices could be discounted by more than 30%,” she said, adding that she has spent more than RM1,000 so far on her Raya preparations, mainly for family gatherings. She advised fellow last-minute shoppers to remain calm and flexible. “Try to stay patient with the crowds and always have a backup option in case the items you want are sold out.” Meanwhile, administrative executive Jamal Haziq Mohd Zain, 30, took a different approach this year and completed his shopping early due to work commitments. “Normally, I would shop last minute because that’s when you could get better deals and discounted prices.” He added that rising prices are

o Rotational shifts mean personnel sometimes go years without seeing family

Ű BY IKHWAN ZULKAFLEE newsdesk@thesundaily.com

PETALING many Malaysians, Hari Raya is a time for homecomings and family gatherings. For firefighter Siti Zaharah Mohrim, it is often a rare luxury, sometimes coming only once every five years. The 36-year-old Senior Fire Officer II at the Port Dickson Fire and Rescue Station said the station’s rotational shift system means not all officers are able to take leave during the festive season each year. “I’m in Team C. In the department we work in teams – A, B and C – and Hari Raya (off days) rotate among the teams,” she told theSun . The rotation system means a firefighter may only get the chance to celebrate at home after several years. “For our team, the cycle could take up to four years. This year is my third year away from home, and next year I will likely miss it again. “If everything goes according to plan, I might only get to celebrate Hari Raya again in the fifth year. It’s almost like Feb 29, it doesn’t come around very often.” Siti Zaharah, who has served at Port Dickson for eight years, said the demanding nature of firefighting requires personnel to stay on standby even during major festivals. She said this year, she will once again spend Hari Raya on duty, adding that while firefighters are granted time off between shifts, it is often limited. “We work 12-hour shifts. During off hours, we might try to visit nearby relatives or friends, but it’s usually just around the local area.” Originally from Felda Palong, Negeri Sembilan, about two hours from Port Dickson, she said travelling home is often not feasible due to traffic congestion and duty JAYA: For

Siti Zaharah (left) said working in a uniformed service means making sacrifices, especially during festive seasons. – PIC COURTESY OF SITI ZAHARAH MOHRIM

especially during busy festive seasons.” Meanwhile, Muhammad Ikram Zulkaflee, a private sector employee, said celebrating Hari Raya often comes with the reality that work commitments cannot be fully set aside. The 35-year-old data operations manager at a multi-national company said employees in MNCs typically receive shorter festive breaks, as business operations continue across multiple markets. “Because I work in an MNC, the Hari Raya holiday period is usually not very long, as the company’s operations continue as usual,” he told theSun via WhatsApp. He added that while Hari Raya is an important time for family, professional responsibilities and customer needs still take priority. “Even though Hari Raya is meant for family gatherings, we still have work commitments and client requirements that need to be addressed first.” Hari Raya Aidilfitri is expected to fall on either March 20 or March 21. round set for March 18. Meanwhile in the Klang Valley, Shuzilah Saad, owner of Al Wafi Laundry and Cleaning, said demand jumps by up to 30% ahead of Aidilfitri. Her 15-member team is handling bookings for 200 to 300 houses, from both new and regular clients. “The most in-demand service is the deep-cleaning package, which includes mopping floors, cleaning kitchens and bathrooms, and wiping fans, windows and furniture.” She also said staff shortages have forced some bookings to be turned down. – Bernama

commitments. Her husband, from Taiping, will spend the festive season with her in Port Dickson. “My husband has Hari Raya leave, but since I have to work, he decided to stay here with me. “He will take care of our four young children, including our baby. Because of the infant, travelling far isn’t easy. So this year, Hari Raya will be in Port Dickson.” Despite the sacrifices, Siti Zaharah embraces her duty. “Working in a uniformed service means making sacrifices, especially during festive seasons. “But the rotation system ensures fairness, everyone goes through the same (situation). We all have families and we all celebrate Hari Raya, but we take turns.” She credits her husband’s support for helping her manage the challenges. “He knew I was a firefighter before we married, so he understands the nature of my job. “Our priority when on duty is keeping the community safe, Ramadan, we often tackle three or four homes daily to keep up with the rush ahead of Aidilfitri. Most customers use the service to clean their parents’ homes, which are usually the main gathering place on Aidilfitri morning, when children return home and welcome relatives.” He now has four full-time and four part-time workers serving Kota Bharu, Tumpat, Pasir Mas and Bachok. He added that bookings are full, with slots reserved as early as February. He also said more than 30 houses have been cleaned, and about 20 more are scheduled, with the final

Surge in demand for professional home cleaning KUALA LUMPUR: As Aidilfitri approaches, demand for professional home cleaning is soaring, with families racing to make their homes spotless for visiting relatives.

For many, hiring cleaners is practical, especially when work and travel commitments make deep cleaning difficult. Tengku Aidi Shah Tengku Amran Shah, a home cleaning operator in Kota Bharu, Kelantan, said demand almost doubles during Ramadan compared with regular days. “Normally, we clean just one or two homes a day, but during

Shoppers crowd an Aidilfitri bazaar at Lorong Tunku Abdul Rahman in Kuala Lumpur during the last week of Ramadan to buy essentials for upcoming Hari Raya celebrations. – MASRY CHE ANI/THE SUN