Keeping holiday plans flexible

Rain, rain go away: Kuantan residents taking advantage of a spell of sunny weather during monsoon season by spending time with family on Batu HItam beach. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: It’s raining, there may be floods and the weather remains unpredictable, but what does it matter – the long-awaited year-end holidays are here.

Most schoolchildren – and their parents – are lining up plans and activities for the holidays come what may.

Ahmad Marzuki, 36, from Petaling Jaya said he had no plans to cancel any bookings.

“I am planning to go to Penang next week for the holidays. It is among the states where a flood warning has been issued.

“I don’t think I will cancel yet. We will wait and see,” he said.

It will be the same for content executive Thivya, 26, from Kuala Lumpur, who is planning to spend her weekends at Genting Highlands.

She said she had booked a room online and it can be cancelled any time for free, which gave her the freedom to decide on whether to go ahead with her plan.

“I was worried about the condition of the roads going up the highlands in Camerons and Fraser’s Hill especially during the rainy season. Hence, I decided to go to Genting Highlands. I believe the road is much wider and safer.

“But, I will make a final decision maybe a day or two before travelling, depending on the weather,” she said.

Last week, the Mineral and Geoscience Department identified 31 locations nationwide as landslide hotspots.

These include the Kuala Lumpur-Karak Highway that connects the west coast and east coast of the peninsula and several roads to the highlands in Pahang.

CK Teoh, 28, from Kelana Jaya, Selangor, said the monsoon season would not stop his holiday in Ipoh with his partner.

They had been planning the trip over the past few months.

“It’s been a long year for us due to work commitments.

“This year-end holiday will be be our first since the Covid-19 restrictions were lifted.

“I understand there is a risk of floods or even landslides in places but I believe our destination is safe,” he said.

A father, who only wanted to be identified as Lau, 45, said he too would go ahead with plans to take his children for holidays in Perak.

“I will be driving there, so I hope the road will be fine and safe,” he said.

Last month, the Meteorological Department said the northeast monsoon phase will persist until March next year.

The school holidays for the current academic year begin today until Dec 31.