BY: CHRISTOPHER FERNANDEZ

Whenever festivals fall together in Malaysia, it is not unusual to have a joint celebration, and since Christmas this year is on December 25 as usual and Chinese New Year on January 29, 2025 they are celebrated in the spirit of ‘Kongsi Krismas.’

In the past when Deepavali and Hari Raya AidilFitri came together, they were celebrated in the spirit of ‘Selamat DeepaRaya’ and there was also celebrated ‘ Selamat Kongsi Raya’ when Chinese New Year and Hari Raya came together.

This underscores and underlines the spirit of camaraderie or the unity and togetherness fostered by the different races and religions in Malaysia making the country a bold showcase of a multi racial and multi religious melting pot.

‘Kongsi Krismas’ means many things to those celebrating and businesses and traders have capitalized on the idea of decorating shopping malls and complexes and shops with both Christmas and Chinese New Year decorations simultaneously.

This not only saves time and cost for business operators, it is also seen as a great way to draw shoppers of all stripes to patronise shopping outlets, food eateries and restaurants with wonderful bargains and discounts in store.

Since ‘Kongsi Krismas’ also coincides with the spate of school holidays, it is seen as a double bonus for children and their parents to enjoy much needed respite from studies and work respectively.

-THE MALAYSIA VOICE

** The views expressed on this opinion is of the writer and not the publisher