There is no white Christmas in the country but it’s a case of “may your days be merry and bright”, as the song White Christmas goes.

People had a good time at various events held throughout the country to celebrate Christmas.

Christians also spent time at the churches such as the century-old St John’s Cathedral in Kuala Lumpur.

Many Filipinos and foreign wor­kers of the Catholic faith filled its compound for Christmas mass.

“I have been working for six years in Malaysia. Every Christmas morning I would come here to celebrate,” said domestic helper Ivy Salazar, 36, of the Philippines.

Some Malaysians subscribed to the belief that there is no greater joy than to give.

About 100 volunteers spread Yuletide cheer to the homeless in Kuala Lumpur.

Led by Kembara Kitchen founder William Cheah, 44, and his wife Chan Yi Lyn, 33, they set up a makeshift base set in Jalan Hang Lekiu and provided food to some 500 underprivileged people.

With roast lamb, barbecued chicken, spaghetti bolognese to Malaysia’s favourite cendol in their bellies, the homeless left with broad smiles on their faces.

Some of the volunteers belted out Christmas tunes while Santa Claus gave out cookies.

For many other Malaysians, it was a time to enjoy the weekend break.

If surreal is the word of the year, then perhaps lepak (hang out) is the word for Malaysians every year.

Many of them relaxed at malls with their family or friends and many couples were seen strolling about.

Teacher Priscilla Michael, 34, said she was at the mall with her relatives.

“We had a nice, quiet time with the family celebrating Christmas. Now, we are here for some retail therapy,” she quipped.

For nature lovers, they preferred outdoor activities.

Sgt Sazlina Mohamad, 36, from Sentul police district headquarters, took her daughter and sisters for a walk at Taman Botani Perdana.

“My duty requires me to be away for long hours and I hardly have time to spend with my daughter. Even during school holidays, I am unable to take her anywhere,” she said.

Sazlina, who is from Sarawak, said she had brought her daughter and younger sisters out to Batu Caves and Ulu Yam waterfall ear­lier.

“There are many attractions that I haven’t explored in Selangor despite staying here in the peninsula for many years,” she added.

The KLCC Park was another po­pular spot for Malaysians and foreigners alike.

On Christmas Day, people were seen enjoying their day there. Some walked around wearing Santa hats.

Domestic worker Jose Cora Guilaran, 36, enjoyed a Christmas picnic in the park with fellow Filipinos.

She said they decided to spend the day together as they were all far from their family.

“This is our Malaysian family,” she said, adding that they had prepared traditional Filipino dishes such as lechon manok (a type of roast chicken) to be enjoyed toget­her.

And in the words of Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Christmas, like many other festivals celebra­ted here, brings people together in joy, peace and harmony.

Malaysians, he said, already had many shared cultures and practi­ces, as proven in the cuisines and customs.

Source:
courtesy of THE STAR

by The Star Online

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