PETALING JAYA: Malaysia looks set to celebrate an extra joyful and lively Aidilfitri as the Covid-19 pandemic gradually eases in the country.

       Since the start of the pandemic more than two years ago, many people could not do their pre-Hari Raya shopping or return to their hometowns to celebrate the festival.

       With many pandemic restrictions now relaxed as the country transitions into the endemic stage, things are finally looking up again.

       Major roads are heavily congested while shopping malls are packed with shoppers ahead of Hari Raya early next month.

       A footfall analysis done on a sample of 21 randomly selected shopping outlets throughout the country showed almost all locations operating at full capacity since Friday (Apr 22).

       According to the analysis of the Google Maps’ “popular times” feature, the number of people at Semantan Walk, Temerloh, Pahang recorded the highest increase of 45% at 4pm on Friday (Apr 22), compared to the same time on a typical Friday.

       Others with a significant rise in footfall on Friday were GM Klang Wholesale City, Selangor (+43%) followed by Imago Shopping Mall, Sabah (+36%) and East Coast Mall, Kuantan, Pahang.

       All 21 locations had 100%-foot traffic at 4pm Saturday (Apr 23).

       As at 11.30 a.m. Sunday (Apr 24), almost half of the locations tracked were full with visitors, including East Coast Mall, Kuantan, Pahang, Imago Shopping Mall, Sabah and Kompleks PKNS Shah Alam, Selangor.

       Malaysians online have complained of being caught in hours of traffic jam since Friday (Apr 22), with the situation worsening on Saturday (Apr 23).

       Some reported that the traffic jam on Saturday was happening nationwide as people were making last-minute preparation for Hari Raya before they leave for their hometown this week.

       Mohd Faizal Hassan (@f4izalhassan) on Saturday (Apr 23) tweeted that he was mistaken to think that only Kuala Lumpur faced worsening traffic congestion.

       “The whole country is facing a terrible traffic jam. People are taking the opportunity to get things done this week as we can balik kampung next week. The excitement we’ve missed for two years. Be safe everyone,” he said.

       Malaysians are also expecting to face bad traffic congestion as people return to their hometowns starting Friday (Apr 29).

       On preparations to balik kampung, housewife Nur Diyanah Zainuddin said she is prepared to face unusual traffic when she returns home to Johor Baru next week.

       “We’ll be returning to my hometown in Johor Baru next week, either on Friday or Saturday midnight. We’re expecting it to be more congested than usual as Monday is a public holiday,” said the 30-year-old.

       Housewife Nur Diyana Zainuddin, 30 and husband Mohd Zulhilmi Abd Aziz, 31 have made necessary arrangements to return to their hometown this weekend.

       She added that it will usually take five to six hours even in bad traffic but it takes much longer when returning to her husband’s hometown in Terengganu for Hari Raya.

       “We anticipate that the congestion leading to the East coast will be worse before the first day of Hari Raya, that’s why we plan to return to Terengganu on the third day of the celebration.

       Housewife Nur Diyanah Zainuddin and her husband have made early preparation for Raya to avoid the crowd.

       Nur Diyanah, who lives in the Klang Valley, said she will be preparing basic necessities for the travel such as wet wipes, food, as well as books and games for her kids.

       For those travelling by air, flight tickets have shown more than a 200% increase in price nearing Hari Raya, especially to popular destinations such as Langkawi, Kota Baru and Kota Kinabalu.

       Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ismail Sabri Yaakob Airlines had on Apr 18 warned airlines against making excessive profits by raising ticket prices to Sabah and Sarawak during the festive season.

       The Transport Ministry Airline had later announced that ticket prices have come down by 30% after the Malaysian Aviation Commission (Mavcom) agreed to a compromise for the festive season.

       However, those who are used to travelling back during the festive season have made early preparations to avoid the price hike.

       Communications Advisor Annisa Mustika said it was important to manage your Raya trip timeline to avoid buying flight tickets at a higher price.

       “I booked my ticket to Kuching months ago and the return price ticket was at RM450, which is a steal for the festive season,” said the 32-year-old.

       Communications Advisor Annisa Mustika, 32 looks forward to return to her hometown in Kuching, Sarawak as this is her second trip back after two years of travel restrictions due to the pandemic.

       She, however, noted that at times, there will be a fixed price for flight fares during the festive season.

       “Airlines know it’s the festive season and people still need to return to their hometowns, so prices won’t be very cheap.

       “I once bought flight tickets for more than RM1,000 after monitoring it for six months. It just won’t go down,” she said.

       PLUS Malaysia Berhad (PLUS) is anticipating 2 million highway users who will “Raya Balik Kampung” between April 29 until May 9, and will be stationing 1,500 customer service assistants (CSA) at the toll plaza lanes along the expressway to ensure a smooth drive.

       PLUS advised those from the Klang Valley returning to Perlis, Kedah, Penang, Perak and Johor from April 29 to May 2 to enter the highway before 10am.

       “For those heading towards closer locations or to other states are advised to enter the highway after 1pm,” he said.