The Star Online: Nation
The Star Online: Nation |
- Christmas in Malaysia an eye-opener for foreigners
- Federal JKKKs asked to identify people eligible to receive BR1M
- Christians celebrate Christmas with family, friends
| Christmas in Malaysia an eye-opener for foreigners Posted: 25 Dec 2011 03:20 AM PST KUALA LUMPUR: Celebrating Christmas in multi-racial Malaysia has been an eye-opening experience for visitors to the country. Indonesian Nurdin Theofilus, 50, said it was delightful to see how people in Malaysia celebrated Christmas with joy and unity, with vibrant celebrations not being marred by cost of living issues. When met after attending a church service at the St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church in Bukit Nanas here Sunday, he noted that Muslim-majority Malaysia had "very tolerant and friendly people". The businessman pointed out that everyone - Malays, Chinese, Indians, other races as well as foreigners - were so cheerful and enthusiastic while waiting for the countdown to Christmas in the Bukit Bintang tourist belt on Saturday. "Last night if you were at Bukit Bintang, everybody there waited for the countdown...it was amazing! I can't find it (such a scene) in Indonesia. We do have celebrations but only for the Christian community," Nurdin said. Meanwhile, a couple from Hong Kong, George and Betty Elledge, felt that Malaysia was up there in terms of celebrating Christmas "although there is no snowfall here". "We're very much enchanted by the spectacular Christmas displays at the malls, dazzling lights, fun street performances and endless shopping promotions compared to some other countries," said Betty who has resided in Malaysia with her husband for 10 years. The absence of a "white Christmas" did not dampen their celebration, she said, adding that they considered Malaysia their second home which allowed them to enjoy and live life in a peaceful environment. For Dr W. John Roxborogh, 66, the festive season would include relaxing at the beach in his native New Zealand but over here, he said Malaysians appeared to prefer spending time with family and friends. "Christmas here is for all races where they allow Christmas caroling almost everywhere including shopping malls, compared to some other countries' so-called Christmas (celebration that is meant) only for Christians," he said. Others spending Christmas far away from their home country missed their loved ones. Philippine maid Richel Bagay, 35, wished that she was back in her country with her two daughters and parents. "I feel so homesick today but my employer takes care of me well. My father was admitted to hospital last week but he's fine now," she said in between sobs. However, the single mother said people in Malaysia were friendly, treating her as one their family members. A check by Bernama showed that shopping complexes in the capital were crowded as people enjoyed an extended week-end in conjunction with Christmas. - Bernama Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Federal JKKKs asked to identify people eligible to receive BR1M Posted: 25 Dec 2011 01:16 AM PST ALOR SETAR: The Federal Village Security and Development Committees (JKKKPs) have been asked to immediately identify individuals or families who have yet to register to receive the Bantuan Rakyat 1Malaysia (BR1M). Kedah Regional Development Authority (Keda) chairman, Datuk Ahmad Bashah Md Hanipah said this was to ensure that those eligible received the aid. "So far, I am satisfied with the commitment shown by the JKKKPs in assisting the government to distribute the forms and help those eligible to fill the forms correctly. "The BR1M forms have been distributed since Dec 10 and so far, there have been no complaints as the JKKKPs are playing their role accordingly," he said when met at the launching of the Mara-with-the-People Carnival, at the Menara Alor Setar grounds, here. Ahmad Bashah, who is also Kedah Umno liaison chief, said 200,000 BR1M forms had been submitted to the Kedah office of the Inland Revenue Board and 300,000 more were expected to be handed in before Jan 10, the deadline. He said those who had not received the form, could get it from the JKKKPs, their state assemblyman's office, Umno office and the relevant agencies. Earlier, in his speech, Ahmad Bashah urged entrepreneurs to take full advantage of the carnival to promote their products and build networking among them. Also present were Kedah Mara director Hanafiah Lazim and Menara Alor Setar general manager Hariyati Tahir. The three-day carnival that began on Friday, is participated by 40 Mara-guided entrepreneurs who showcased their products such as foodstuff, drinks, health products and handicraft. - Bernama Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
| Christians celebrate Christmas with family, friends Posted: 25 Dec 2011 12:33 AM PST KUALA LUMPUR: It may not be a white Christmas over here in Malaysia but it did not deter Malaysians and others of the Christian faith from celebrating the joyous occasion Sunday with much merry-making and prayers. The celebration was marked with church services, the tradition of gift-giving as well as special meals with family and friends. Multi-racial Malaysians also took to Facebook and Twitter, besides the usual phone calls to wish their Christian friends a "Merry Christmas". Many churches in the Malaysian capital drew a sizeable congregation, as locals were joined by a number of foreigners at the Christmas Day church service. Kuala Lumpur residents also got a welcome respite from the usual traffic crawls, thanks to people going back to their hometowns for the Christmas holidays, with Monday being a public holiday. The national-level Christmas open house is scheduled to be held Monday at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Tinggi Kajang in Jalan Semenyih, Kajang, Selangor. In MALACCA, Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam spent some time at a Christmas open house organised by the Portuguese community at the Portuguese Settlement in Ujong Pasir. His arrival at noon was received by village head Peter Thomas Gomes, who led the community in organising a modest but joyous Christmas celebration that began Saturday night that also drew many tourists to the settlement. The 11.2ha settlement has 118 homes occupied by some 1,200 people of Portuguese descent who also took the opportunity to visit their relatives and friends. In SARAWAK, Christmas was also celebrated by the Christians on a moderate scale but no less joyous with the tradition of holding open house and joined by people of other religions. State Social Development Minister Tan Sri William Mawan Ikom who held an open house in Kuching, said the celebration each year showed the cordial relations among Sarawak's multi-racial and multi-religious people. "In Sarawak, racial and religious tolerance is at a very high level. We don't have problems celebrating each other's festival like Christmas, Hari Raya, Chinese New Year and others," he told reporters. He said the people of Sarawak were fortunate as there had been no arising racial issues in the East Malaysian state. "The strong unity among the people here has enabled the state government to give a lot of focus on raising their standard of living wherever they reside and regardless of ethnicity and religion, " he added. In PERLIS, the weather was fine for a merry Christmas although there was no open house as the state's Christian population is very small. However, people were taking advantage of the Christmas holidays by thronging the Sungai Batu Pahat Snake and Reptile Park to watch the Cat Carnival 2011 held there. The two-day carnival since Saturday had various activities including a cat competition, costume contest, karaoke singing competition and poisonous snake-handling demonstrations. - Bernama Full content generated by Get Full RSS. |
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