'Balik Kampung' Then, 'Balik Kampung' Now

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 15 (Bernama) -- In the last week of this Ramadan, the song 'Balik Kampung' by the late Datuk Sudirman Arshad seems to be in the hearts of many city dwellers.

Several days before Aidilfitri which is expected to fall on the weekend, the exodus home or 'Balik Kampung' will begin with roads leading out of the city choked with vehicles carrying tens of thousands of the population of major towns nationwide, to their respective hometowns.

"The exodus home is already a culture of Malaysians, not only for Hari Raya but other celebrations like Chinese New Year and Deepavali. Not only for the Malays, but also for other ethnic groups," said former educationist Fatimah Mansur.

She said the exodus home during festivities has already turned into a phenomenon.

WHY THE NEED TO 'BALIK KAMPUNG'?

The trip back home is always something tiring.

There is severe traffic congestion, road crashes with fatalities and not to mention the high transportation costs incurred.

Then why the need to 'Balik Kampung'. Why not celebrate Hari Raya in the city?

"Our society loves to visit their relatives and friends. They prefer to meet them personally and not to simply talk over the telephone or communicate via e-mails and other methods.

"Balik Kampung is a process to strengthen family ties," said Fatimah.

For nurse Elizabeth Choo, Aidilfitri is for all to celebrate.

"It is a national holiday, so we should go back and meet our aged parents as they find it difficult to come here. In the other days, we are too busy working," said Choo of Tanah Merah, Kelantan.

BALIK KAMPUNG THEN, BALIK KAMPUNG NOW

This writer remembered his 'Balik Kampung' time in 1982 when he was an undergraduate at a university here.

Then, he had to sit on the floor of a third-class train coach as he was unable to get a bus ticket home to celebrate Hari Raya with his mother in Pasir Mas, Kelantan.

The number of express buses to Kelantan then were not that many, not as many as today. To get a plane ticket, air travel then was only for those who can afford to.

Now, there are hundreds of express buses available for the trip home. Not only they are comfortable but all are air-conditioned.

If this is not enough, the transport authorities issues hundreds of temporary permits for express buses during the festive seasons.

And, the flight home is a facility for all.

"Fly home uncle, it is only a short while and the fare is not expensive", said a university student Nurul Huda when enquired by the writer on her mode of transport home for Hari Raya.

"Before, if I want to return home to Sabah for Hari Raya, it was so expensive and difficult. Not any more now," said Surami Saimi of Penampang, Kota Kinabalu.

Three decades ago, only MAS provide air travel in the country. Now there are budget-travel airlines like Firefly and AirAsia that will fly you to various destinations locally and abroad.

For those who prefer train rides, then taking the KTMB coaches will be comfortable as all the coaches have air-conditioning apart from numbered seats.

Hence it is not difficult to 'Balik Kampung' and meet your relatives and friends.

Selamat Hari Raya.

-- BERNAMA