Malaysians braved the hours-long traffic jam to Penang to celebrate Hari Raya Aidilfitri with their families.
On the eve of Hari Raya, fireworks illuminated the night sky, signalling the start of the festival.
On the first day, Muslim homes across Penang were gaily decorated with tables lined with festive treats to welcome guests.
Families, dressed in matching traditional outfits, gathered to enjoy a variety of cookies and snacks, including festive delicacies such as lemang, which is a dish of glutinous rice cooked in bamboo with coconut milk and salt.
Open houses throughout the state further fostered the strong sense of community as neighbours and friends came together to celebrate.
Meanwhile, many also took advantage of the week-long break to explore local attractions, with Penang Hill drawing more than 28,000 visitors between March 28 and April 1.
The first two days of Hari Raya alone saw a record 16,000 people visiting the iconic hill.
Despite the closure of many shops in George Town during the holiday period, traffic remained heavy along major highways.
Jams were reported along the North-South Highway, with travel times between Kuala Lumpur and Penang stretching up to 10 hours.
Throughout the six-day holiday period, more than 330 traffic police officers were deployed to ensure safety and smooth traffic flow, as an estimated 2.6 million vehicles were expected to pass through Penang.
Locals enjoying their meals by the sea next to Tun Dr Lim Chong Eu Expressway in Bayan Lepas. — Photos: LIM BENG TATT, CHAN BOON KAI and ZHAFARAN NASIB/The Star
Muhd Elfi Mohd Rani (left), his wife Natasha Iylia Mohd Razali (third from right) and daughters celebrating Hari Raya at the home of his parents Mohd Rani Jantan (right) and Harlina Syed Bidin (second from right) in Kampung Seronok, Bayan Lepas.
A family preparing Raya snacks and cookies at their home in Bukit Mertajam for the celebration.
Penang Traffic Enforcement Department chief Supt Zafri Zolkapli (third from left) and traffic policemen saying a prayer during Ops Selamat at the Juru toll terminal.
Visitors arriving at the Chew Jetty in George Town for the holiday.
A woman helping her son try on a ‘songkok’ at a mall in Bayan Baru in before Hari Raya.
