PETALING JAYA: For some Malaysians originally from Sabah and Sarawak who currently reside in the peninsula, the long Malaysia Day weekend offers a chance to rush home to their family.
Meanwhile, other East Malaysians choose to celebrate Malaysia Day in the peninsula, owing to the presence of friends and family members here.
Vanessa Wong said she immediately booked her ticket back to her hometown of Kuching when Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim announced an extra day of holiday.
“I knew ticket prices were going to be high and there would be school holidays around the corner, so it was best I took this opportunity to see my family during the long weekend,” said the 27-year-old media executive working in Petaling Jaya.
Another Sabahan, Johnny Wong also booked a flight back to Kota Kinabalu last month and returned during the weekend.
Wong managed to celebrate the occasion with his family members, despite local flooding.
“It was a simple celebration for us, as the floods are still ongoing,” said Wong briefly.
Meanwhile Sarawakian Zoe Tan, 26, will remain in Petaling Jaya where she works as an assistant manager, instead of returning to her hometown of Miri.
“I always book my tickets in advance to avoid the high prices. The announcement of this public holiday was too short a notice for me to book the tickets.
“Besides, I am already set to go back home next month,” she said yesterday.
Tan will be celebrating the annual event with her close friends living in the Klang Valley.
Business development manager Jojo, 47, said she would be staying back in Selangor, but added that she will be in high spirits celebrating Malaysia Day here.
“I will be enjoying the Malaysia Day holiday with a short break from work.
“But my thoughts go out to my family and friends back home in Penampang, Sabah, where landslides and floods are affecting certain areas,” said Jojo.
An airline ticketing officer in Kuala Lumpur, who identified herself only as Cindy, will not be going back to Kota Kinabalu this time as the school holidays meant longer hours at work for her.
“Many of my colleagues want to take leave to be with their families, but it is the busiest period for us, so we just have to wait our turn,” said the 39-year-old.
She expressed hope that the flood situation in Sabah would be properly managed and that the victims would receive help fast.
