MELAKA: A festive atmosphere continues to fill the Kota Laksamana Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) Complex, as over 1,000 people have packed the ferry terminal over the past week to travel to Indonesia for Hari Raya Aidilfitri.
The sea entry points at Dumai and Bengkalis in Indonesia have been crowded with migrant workers, tourists and Malaysians of Indonesian descent since 7am.
Some even arrived as early as 5am to board the 10am ferry bound for Dumai, in Indonesia’s Riau province.
The ferry terminal was a hive of activity, with employers dropping off their workers either individually or in groups so that they can journey to their hometowns to be with their families for Aidilfitri.
Nor Hazlinda Mohd Wipah, 27, is going to celebrate Hari Raya in her mother’s hometown of Pekan Baru in Riau, as the last time she went back was in 2019, just before the Covid-19 outbreak.
“This will be my first experience celebrating Raya in another country because I am accompanying my mother, who has not celebrated Raya in her village in Indonesia for a long time,” she said.
“It’s a thrilling experience although we will have to endure the more than two hours’ sea journey sea and another five to six hours by land,” added Nor Hazlinda, who is from Kuantan, Pahang.
She added that they arrived at the Melaka ICQS at about 6am and were surprised by the festive atmosphere at the jetty, which was filled with people travelling to Indonesia.
“I expect the ferry to be full today as everyone will surely be rushing for a seat since ferry trips are limited to twice a day for this Raya season,” she said.
For 35-year-old Ahmad Dariman Hariyanto, returning to Bengkalis by sea to celebrate Raya has become a tradition since he began working in Kuala Lumpur as it is cheaper and more convenient.
“Every year, especially the last few days of Ramadan, the ferry will be full. I was lucky to get a ticket as I only booked it two weeks ago.”
Depending on the operator is Kingdom or Dynasty, each ferry can only accommodate between 200 to 300 passengers.
“So, we must come early because we have to go through Customs checks, which can take some time.”
