Of Hari Raya eve and 'balik kampung' ...

KL is relatively quiet with many of its residents going back to their hometown for the Hari Raya celebration tomorrow. For those who remain in the city, they are bound to be asked: "Tak balik kampung ke?" (Aren’t you going back to your hometown?). I was asked of the question not less than five times today alone – at the bank, hypermarket, petrol station and at the roadside stalls selling ketupat, lemang and rendang along MRR2 near Zoo Negara. Its not the first time for me and my family to celebrate Hari Raya in KL. So, we are quite used to it. I’m going to take the opportunity to visit my friends especially those who grew up with me at the long demolished Asrama Dr Latiff.

Thank you to friends who sms me Raya greetings. I do hope everyone will have a wonderful time. Some advised me to drive safely, probably thinking I might be going somewhere out of the city. As far as driving is concerned, I’m having a breeze driving around KL with less cars on the road.
But not all ‘balik kampung’ journey ended in joy when 12 Indonesians – eleven women and a man -- drown after their wooden barge sank off Port Klang this morning. 112 others were rescued. Klang district police chief ACP Mohamad Mat Yusop said all the dead were in their 20s. One of the women was pregnant.
The barge sank 10 minutes after setting sail from a forest area in Pulau Che Mat Zin, near Westport for Tanjong Balai in the Sumatra at about 7am.
Mohamad said the 5m-long barge had capacity for 70 passengers but was carrying about 130 people.
All the Indonesians were believed to be on their way home to celebrate the Aidilfitri.
It is unexpected events like this that requires media organizations like Bernama to be on alert despite the festive mood. For this, my thoughts go to all who have to work during Hari Raya. They are the unsung heroes – men and women – who keep the organization going. Since Bernama started operation 40 years ago, it has never once ‘close for holiday’.
My colleague, Muin Abdul Majid, who is based in Dubai, is celebrating the Aidilfitri far away from his family. Like other Muslim Malaysians across the United Arab Emirates (UAE), he joined other Muslims in the Gulf nation and many other countries in the Middle East in celebrating Aidilfitri today.
In Dubai, the Malaysians converged on the Matrade centre for the Aidilfitri prayers led by Shushilil Azam Shuib, the Malaysian Education Promotion Centre (MEPC) regional director.
The UAE Moon Sighting Committee announced Monday night that the UAE was to celebrate Aidilfitri Tuesday.
Selamat Hari Raya. Maaf Zahir Batin.