No reunion dinner? Malaysian lecturer 'cooks up' clay miniatures of her family's 12-dish meal

Miniature clay poon choy – a popular Chinese New Year dish consisting of different layers of meat, seafood and vegetables – designed by Chua. Photos: Martina Chua Swee Lin

When the government extended the second movement control order to Feb 18, Sarawakian lecturer Martina Chua Swee Lin, 48, knew she couldn't fly back to Miri to celebrate Chinese New Year with her loved ones.

"I was extremely disappointed that I'd be missing my family reunion dinner, the first time in 10 years. I will miss my family, especially my 88-year-old mother. I'll miss Sarawak's glorious food like Sarawak laksa, midin belacan (jungle fern shoot with shrimp paste), kolo mee, kacangma (motherwort chicken) and umai (raw fish salad)," said Chua, who lives in Sungai Buloh, Selangor.