The evening before 23rd of Ramadan 1437. Seven days before Aidilfitri. Central court of Queensbay Mall, which usual gets all the celebration decor is empty. Almost too stark naked. Walking in, once I am past the shock, I am enveloped in sadness. Am I still in Malaysia? Where we proudly claim of multi races living in harmony, sharing all the many celebrations from all the different ethnics and religion groups that makes us Malaysia. Yet it looks like the mall in in mourning.
So why is that the biggest celebration, by the main ethnic group, embracing the official religion of our nation only get a corridor (between Starbucks and KFC) worth of celebration decoration.
Does CapitaLand Mall Asia, the company managing Queensbay Mall deem that Aidilfitri is not worth the beautiful celebration decorations that they are famous for? The winter wonderland Christmas decor, the Chinese courtyard of 20's Shanghai for Chinese New Year, and every year they always trying to outdo themselves. Yet when Aidilfitri comes, almost nothing. Maybe the demographic is not worthy in term of revenue to them, yet I see so many doing their Raya shoppings there, most with at least a couple of bagful of purchases.
I also notice that Deepavali does not get any recognition there either. Yet, Valentine's is really huge, with decors all over the malls.
Inquiry to the information counter confirmed the worst, there's no decoration planned for the central court or any other places apart from the 15' corridor at the far end of the mall.
Again I asked myself. Are we still in Malaysia?
Originally posted on Facebook
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