SIBU: Crowded is the most apt word to describe shops, markets and shopping malls here as people prepare for Christmas.
An online news portal survey here found out that people began to patronise the Star Megamall since Saturday afternoon as they used the weekend for family shopping time.
A worker for a private company, 26-year-old Francis, said this year’s preparation was simple because what is important is the original purpose of Christmas.
Another shopper, 46-year-old Lucas Wong, who is self-employed, said he would celebrate with his parents and would do so in moderation.
Mark Thomas, 62, a retiree, said he would celebrate in Kuala Lumpur with his children.
“I’m here just to buy some items to take to Kuala Lumpur,” he said.
On the preparation for the day, he could not comment more because all the preparations are done by his children.
“Anyway, I celebrate modestly because we are currently facing a rising cost of living. In addition, I am a pensioner, so I welcome a simple celebration.”
Stephanie Wong, a 41-year-old civil servant, said, “I just arrived here from Miri, and because of work I have not planned to make my Christmas merrier.”
She noted that prices of goods are volatile, sometimes going up and sometimes going down. “
I’m going to have a simple Christmas. We need to save money because the children will return to school in one week and I need to buy school stuffs for my children,” she said.
