Reports by NELSON BENJAMIN, VENESA DEVI, IYLIA MARSYA ISKANDAR and CHAN MAY THENG

       PETALING JAYA: Malaysians are choosing Asia and Europe as their preferred destinations when the country reopens its international borders starting today.

       After being pandemic-ridden for two years, Heer Raj Prem Kumar, 26, is looking to recuperate and unwind at his favourite leisure destination, India.

       Heer Raj shared that India has always been a place for retreat and comfort, adding he also blends in with the crowd as he is fluent with its national language.

       “I would like to go to Europe but some countries are restricting Sinovac (CoronaVac) recipients and with the ongoing Russia and Ukraine war, Europe might not be a safe choice, but I will still go after monitoring the situation,” he added.

       Avid traveller Nur Amirah Mohd Azmi is in discussion to travel to Mecca and Medina with her family, but is anticipating the variety of food at her favourite destination, Italy.

       “My family and I used to travel due to my dad’s job as an engineer and we stayed in multiple countries, though some we did travel for leisure,” the 30-year-old said.

       Nur Amirah said being able to travel brings a sense of normalcy back into the world after the disorder caused by the pandemic.

       Priscilla Yong, 19, is keen on visiting Europe and pursuing her studies in Britain, but has

       “I usually travel overseas once a year before the pandemic and I’m looking forward to doing so after the borders reopen,” said Yong, who has South Korea as her favourite destination because of the K-pop culture.

       Yong added that her family wishes to travel to Australia soon to visit her brother who is studying there.