Sabahans in celebratory mood after quiet CNY during pandemic

KOTA KINABALU: The Chinese New Year mood is certainly back in Sabah after muted celebrations for the past two years due to strict compliance to Covid-19 restrictions.

Although the virus continues to linger in the community but with fewer health protocols in place now, more people could be seen venturing out into the state capital to usher in the Year of the Rabbit.

Open markets could now be held while malls were filled to the brim with shoppers looking for their Lunar New Year bargains, signalling the return of economic activities albeit the rising cost of living.

Others like Michael Sim were, however, busy preparing for the Chinese New Year’s eve family dinner on Saturday (Jan 21) and their big open house the day after.

The 35-year-old businessman was with his wife shopping for the necessities at the Chinese New Year Open night market in the heart of the city in Segama here on Friday (Jan 20).

"We have quite a lot of stuff to get for our plans this year but this is certainly a welcome ‘busy’ compared with the past couple of years where we only celebrated among our immediate family members.

"I hope this is a sign of more good things to come after the sombre celebrations previously," he said, as he hurried off with plastic bags containing vegetables and other food stuff.

Fristika Lindu said she did not celebrate Chinese New Year but was at the open market just to soak in the atmosphere.

"It’s good to see so many people out and about now. We could see the celebratory mood among Sabahans picking up since last Christmas.

"I love to see people mingling and celebrating the moment because we won’t know when the next disaster will hit, although I wish we never go through such an episode ever again," she said.

Nor Ramlah, one of the many stall operators at the market, was thankful that small businessmen like herself were able once again to ply their trade without the hassle of the previous years.

"We can make a living not only during the festive periods but also throughout the year.

"Like today, you can see people are eager to be out. Some wear face masks while others don’t but it’s great to see the big crowd which means more business for us,” said the 45-year-old mother of three.

Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew, representing the Chief Minister, also went on a walkabout at the market accompanied by Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Noorliza Awang Alip.

Liew was likewise delighted to see visitors thronging the public event.

"Besides the hawkers and local people, there were even tourists at the market, happy to celebrate Chinese New Year together.

"This is a good event to spread the joy and happiness of the Chinese New Year to everyone in Sabah.

"I think everybody is happy to celebrate after the pandemic for the last two to three years when everyone felt cooped up.

"So now, (they feel) it’s a good time for them to come out. I understand even in the peninsula, despite the rising cost of goods, people still go out and spend because they just want to celebrate the new year together - this is going to be a good year," Liew said.