Festive Mood In The Air People Usher In Year Of Dragon

By Nadia Jumri and Asniah Abdullah KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 21 (Bernama) -- Chinese New Year is celebrated this year with numerous programmes that will surely bring a difference, and personal happiness, to individuals. Sending her mother and sibling to the KL Sentral station to return to Johor, Candy Wong, 29, said she would be celebrating with her husband and two-month-old baby for the first time. "I'm celebrating the new year here but it is more meaningful this time around because this is also the first year I'm giving out ang pow because I'm married and I'm sure many will visit me and get ang pows," she told Bernama. For private sector employee, Chan Kien Li, 27, the Chinese New Year of the Dragon this year would be a family affair to rekindle the strong family ties. "I want to return to Mentakab, Pahang. This year is merrier, the family had planned with relatives to eat out and maybe exchange family stories," he said. The Jalan Duta Bus Station here was not as busy as it had been prior to the festive season perhaps because many had left for their hometowns since Friday. A Universiti Malaya student, Dena Wong, 21, said her uncle and her would be holidaying in Lumut for three weeks with her families who were already there. Cheras tuition teacher Lee Ling Yun, 23, said she could hardly wait to return to Ipoh as her long-lost brother, who was adopted since small, had been found. Meanwhile, people were thronging the Tasik Selatan South Integrated Terminal since 8.30am for last-minute ticket purchases. Causeway Link Bus ticket seller Hazita Ahmad, 30, said it was quite chaotic Friday. Additional buses are provided for those who failed to buy tickets. Newly-weds Janice Wong, 28, and Australian husband Jackson Carter, 33, said they bought tickets two weeks ago to ensure they could go back to Jasin, Melaka. Universiti Putra Malaysia student Albert Wong, 24, said he was eager to return to Bentong as his brother would also be home from Canada to celebrate the Chinese New Year. Meanwhile, a check by Bernama at Pudu Central found less people compared to yesterday. Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia final year student Hazlina Abdullah, 23, who was with friend Lilian Hong, 23, said she would take advantage of the Chinese New Year to visit Lilian in Arau, Perlis. Dutch tourists, David Hugo, 55, and his wife Tessa, 55, said they would holiday in Kedah and were keen to experience the Chinese New Year celebration. -- BERNAMA