Golden arches, ornate lamps and lush plants bring to life Queensbay Mall’s recreation of a Malay palace courtyard. – Photos: CHAN BOON KAI and ZHAFARAN NASIB
WITH Hari Raya Aidilfitri just around the corner, the festive mood is in full swing, especially at shopping centres which have put up elaborate decorations with meaningful themes.
With previous years’ decorations still fresh in mind and keen to meet shoppers’ heightened expectations, these establishments are getting increasingly creative to keep their displays interesting.
A gamelan performance with Gurney Paragon Mall’s quaint kampung house frames in the background.
While some play up traditional scenes celebrating home and family, others favour modern and vibrant interpretations of the season’s quintessential charms.
The sets provide ample opportunities for photos to perk up social media feeds.
Straits Quay’s decorations centre around a fisherman’s house, complete with rattan furniture and other rustic elements.
StarMetro visited some notable ones in the northern region.
In Kedah, Aman Central has lined up transparent Islamic-styled structures made from crystal-like panels in a striking palette of royal blue, sky blue and white.
Bluish roses bloom all around while a gazebo with a blue couch and hanging blue wisterias have become the Instagram spot for shoppers to capture mementos.
Fatin Diyana Abdul Razak and her siblings Nur Qistina and Nur Amirah posing with the Volkswagen Beetle in Gurney Plaza.
Shimmering gold lamps and giant glowing flowers add points of interest as well as warmth to the pure, pristine backdrop that is part of its decorations themed “Sesuci Lebaran”.
On mainland Penang, Sunway Carnival Mall has set hearts aglow with its “Cahaya Raya” decorations inspired by the traditional oil lamps.
The colourful and radiant structures and panels bear Islamic motifs and geometry.
This kaleidoscope of purples, pinks, blues and greens along with the mesmerising interplay of light and shadows offer a different surprise at every corner.
Keep an eye out for the eight-pointed star motifs on the floor and diamond-shaped ketupat that is suspended in the air.
The festive staple of glutinous rice in a pouch of woven coconut leaves is associated with humility and its giant representations here tie into the seasonal practice of asking for forgiveness.
The mall’s general manager Chai Wen Yew said the vibrant setup was meant to celebrate the richness of culture that made Malaysia unique.
“Hari Raya embodies values such as family, empathy and compassion. So let’s embrace the spirit of togetherness and treasure the moments shared with loved ones.”
Shoppers strolling through Aman Central’s blue-and-white decorations featuring Islamic-style structures with crystal-like panels. – Photo courtesy of Aman Central
On Penang island, an aura of majesty emanates from Queensbay Mall’s golden recreation of a Malay palace courtyard that serves as the centrepiece of the decor themed “Senandung Aidilfitri”.
Ornate lamps and giant golden arches are key features, with the main archway rising almost 7m and anchoring the main stage, where a series of cultural performances are being held.
Lush palms, draped fabric and a grand stairway complete the scene, which centre manager Lee Sue Ling said was a reference to the glorious celebrations of the elites in olden days.
“We have done traditional and homely scenes in the past and wanted to explore something more opulent to bring shoppers a refreshing new experience this time around.
“As a community mall, we have always enjoyed creating captivating backdrops to make celebrations ever more memorable,” said Lee.
Gurney Plaza has teamed up with Disney for endearing “Ria Raya” celebrations centred around a retro-styled theatre stage featuring some of the latter’s most beloved characters.Mickey Mouse, enchanting Princess Jasmine and heroic Spider-man feature alongside Toy Story’s courageous protagonist Woody and Star Wars’ The Mandalorian and Grogu on the main archway as well as on the predominantly indigo-white theatre structure.
Adding charm to the scene are bright decorative bulbs, descending stars, palm fronds, gold embellishments and two vintage vehicles – a Volkswagen Beetle and Volkswagen Kombi.
CapitaLand mall management general manager Peter Chan said the design brings together the best of both the old and new, and would surely evoke nostalgia among visitors of a certain age, especially when retro dance and music performances took place on weekends.
“We were inspired by the golden era of the Malaysian film and entertainment industry in the 1950s and ’60s,” he added.
This nod to the past ties in with Disney’s 100th anniversary celebrations this year.
Among the more traditional displays is Gurney Paragon Mall’s quaint “Colours of Raya” set-up, featuring kampung house structures draped in lavender, pink and green batik.
Bamboo and plant hedges invite one into the breezy open structures which are also lined with pinkish wisterias.
There are swings and seats provided for shoppers to rest and take it all in.
Giant batik flowers and classic scooters complete the display, which the mall’s chief operating officer Koay Bee Fong hopes will spark fond memories of yesteryear.
“Each corner offers a different photo opportunity.
“We wanted to pay tribute to the intricate and timeless beauty of batik.
“Malaysian batik may be steeped in tradition but is just as versatile for modern use. We hope this reaffirms its appeal,” said Koay.
Meanwhile, Straits Quay references its waterfront setting with a serene kampung nelayan (fisherman’s village) display for its “Rilek-Rilek! Raya Bersama” set.
Pose with the little sampan atop glistening waters or take a stroll along the wooden pier to find a wooden house with rattan furniture, bamboo fishing baskets and coconuts.
This is sure to take visitors on a picturesque voyage down memory lane.
The retail marina recently held a ketupat decorating competition and some of the winning entries had been incorporated into the decorations.
