Keeping with tradition: Malaysians from Sabah and Sarawak exchanging presents with friends during a pre-Christmas gathering in Petaling Jaya, Selangor. — SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star
UNLIKE last year, Johanes Tenny, 23, an administrative executive from Sibu, Sarawak, will be celebrating Christmas in the Klang Valley.
He is unable to return home this year due to work commitments.
He also could not afford to go back too often because of the pricey flight tickets.
Speaking to StarMetro, Johanes said the festive celebrations often began more than a week before the actual date, with many hosting small parties for church members and friends from Sabah and Sarawak.
To keep their culture and tradition alive and bring a touch of home too, some come dressed in their traditional attire complete with accessories.
“I was promoted this year and it came with more responsibilities that required my attention.
“So, I decided to stay back and celebrate with my church friends this year,” said Johanes.
Church members will take turns to host a potluck gathering, and bring familiar dishes from their home states. — Photos: SHAARI CHEMAT/The Star
He said Christmas would be a grand celebration back in his hometown.
“There will be at least 20 relatives in the house. My mum and aunt will make their ‘secret recipe’ fruitcakes and we will review both after tasting.
“Exchanging gifts is another family tradition we uphold.
“Last year, my nieces and nephews got me a T-shirt. I am really going to miss them this year.
“In Sarawak, every neighbour is like family and we all put our Christmas trees up at about the same time.
“House-to-house carolling is another tradition that we preserve.
“The atmosphere is more fun in Sabah and Sarawak compared to the Klang Valley. However, I am looking forward to celebrating with my friends here.
“We will have potbless, which is our term for potluck.
“We will all bring food and celebrate together,” said Johanes, who is Iban.
“I am also doing an MBA programme, so I need to be careful with my spending.
“This is another reason why I decided to stay back instead of flying home even though I will miss my family,” he added.
BBQ chicken served with cucumber salad and other condiments were among the dishes at the gathering.
Johanes said his father died when he was 15 and his mother and aunts raised him.
“I look forward to renewing family ties during Christmas but that is not always possible every year,” he said.
Roger Jalong Passi, 30, will be celebrating the holiday in the Klang Valley for the fourth time, also due to expensive flight tickets.
The community worker for a homeless shelter said he could buy a return ticket for RM500 in the past but the price had doubled.
“With the uncertain economic situation, many of my friends are not traveling back either,” he said.
Roger also said that he would miss the celebrations at his longhouse in Asa Jaya, Kuching in Sarawak.
“What I miss the most is going to church together with my family.
“During Christmas, there will be about 30 people in the longhouse and we have so much fun.
“We will enjoy local kuih such as kek lapis and kuih jala.
“My mum will cook spiced duck kicap and my aunt will make bamboo chicken rice.”
He said that like in previous years, he will celebrate Christmas with the homeless seeking shelter at the community centre he works for in Kuala Lumpur.
“I will also be celebrating with my church friends here,” he said, adding that he would take enjoy the long weekend by window shopping and watching a movie.
“Many students from Sabah and Sarawak will also be staying back in the peninsula and we will celebrate together,” said Roger.
Linda Misak, from Sipitang in Sabah, will be celebrating Christmas in the Klang Valley because her son has an upcoming major exam.
However, she plans to visit her relatives in Sabah prior to Christmas.
“We will certainly go to church, followed by some fellowship with those who are here,” she added.
Sandra Tagal is one of the fortunate few who will be returning to her hometown Ba’kelalan in Sarawak for Christmas.
However, she has been taking part in pre-Christmas festivities in the Klang Valley too.
“Fellowship, prayers and worshipping together are important during this time,” she said.
In her hometown, they even have community sports during Christmas.
“After attending Mass, there will be outdoor games for all ages in the church compound.
“The celebration starts as early as Dec 20 and goes on until Dec 27,” said Sandra.
Nurmiyanti Anak Uding, 29, and her family from Bintulu, Sarawak, will come to the Klang Valley for a change and celebrate Christmas here.
They are looking forward to seeing the resplendent Christmas decorations put up by shopping centres.
According to Nurmiyanti, umai – which is a raw fish dish eaten with lime, garlic and belacan – is popular during Christmas.
“My aunts will catch the fish from the river to make this dish.
“It is fun to experience the whole process from catching to cooking the fish.
“We also cook ayam pansuh which is grilled chicken in bamboo,” she said.
Lenny Randi from Bintangor, Sarawak, said she and her husband would stay back in the Klang Valley as they wanted to focus on their restaurant business.
They will take a break to enjoy the festive season with their church members.
