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KOTA KINABALU: The Chinese New Year mood is back in Sabah after the muted celebrations over the past two years due to Covid-19 restrictions.
Although the virus continues to linger in the community but with fewer health protocols in place now, more people could be seen venturing out into the state capital to usher in the Year of the Rabbit.
Open markets could now be held while malls were filled with shoppers looking for their Lunar New Year bargains, signalling the return of economic activities albeit the rising cost of living.
Businessman Michael Sim was seen busy preparing for the customary reunion dinner and a big open house event today.
The 35-year-old was with his wife shopping for necessities at the Chinese New Year open night market in the heart of the city in Segama here on Friday.
“We have quite a lot of stuff to get but this is certainly a welcome ‘busy’ compared to the past couple of years where we only celebrated among our immediate family members.
“I hope this is a sign of more good things to come up after the sombre celebrations previously,” he said, as he hurried off with plastic bags containing vegetables and other food stuff.
While not celebrating Chinese New Year, Fristika Lindu said she was at the market to soak up the atmosphere.
“It’s good to see so many people out and about now. We could see the celebratory mood among Sabahans picking up since last Christmas.
“I love to see people mingling and celebrating the moment because we won’t know when the next disaster will hit, although I wish we never go through such an episode ever again,” she said.
Nor Ramlah, one of the many stall operators at the market, was thankful that small businesses were able to ply their trade again without the hassle of the previous years.
“We can make a living not only during the festive periods but also throughout the year.
“Like today, you can see people are eager to be out. Some wear face masks while others don’t but it’s great to see the big crowds which means more business for us,” said the 45-year-old mother of three.
Sabah Tourism, Culture and Environment Minister Datuk Christina Liew also went on a walkabout at the market accompanied by Kota Kinabalu Mayor Datuk Noorliza Awang Alip.
Liew said she was delighted to see visitors thronging the public event.
“Besides the hawkers and local people, there were even tourists at the market, happy to celebrate Chinese New Year together.
“This is a good event to spread the joy and happiness of the Chinese New Year to everyone in Sabah.
“I think everybody is happy to celebrate after the pandemic for the last two to three years when everyone felt cooped up.
“So now, (they feel) it’s a good time for them to come out. I understand even in the peninsula, despite the rising cost of goods, people still go out and spend because they just want to celebrate the new year together -- this is going to be a good year,” Liew said.
