With the enforcement of the Movement Control Order (MCO) and travel restrictions nationwide, those who are celebrating Hari Raya Aidilfitri once again find themselves making the best of the situation this year.
Nestled in this quaint town is a traditional kampung house that is hard to miss by those who are using the North-South Expressway.
Every time during Hari Raya — before the pandemic hit — highway users would see cars parked outside its huge compound.
The house would be decorated with dazzling lights. However, this year, like the year before, the house appears "deserted".
The house, slightly taller than other houses around it, with its traditional charm, continues to receive tender loving care from its owner, Robitah Mohamed Suhaily, 61.
Robitah has lived there for 35 years, proving that despite the house's old facade that is rather telling to onlookers, it has managed to stand the test of time.
"This house was built in 1907 and it is the oldest standing kampung house in this town and the surrounding area. My late husband bought the house in the mid-1980s to raise our two daughters.
"This house means a lot to me as it used to belong to my late grandfather who bought it in the 1920s. I have a lot of fond memories growing up and celebrating Hari Raya in this house.
"My late parents' house is just behind it. My brother and his wife live there now."
The housewife said the house would usually come alive during festive seasons when family members from near and far gathered for a few days of merriment.
"It would be bustling with laughter and the sound of people and children talking, cooking and playing. Family members would meet at the house during Hari Raya.
"However, since last year, the house has been quiet. This will be the second consecutive Hari Raya where it will just be me and my pet cat, Don, as well as my brother and his wife.
"It is heartbreaking as I can't have my daughters, grandchildren and sons-in-law with me this year for Hari Raya, but I am thankful that I have Don, my brother and his wife. So I won't be that lonely."
Robitah said on the first day of Hari Raya, she would hold a videoconference with her daughters and grandchildren.
"I look forward to seeing what they're up to on Hari Raya."
Robitah said her eldest daughter, Shadeah, lives in Kuala Lumpur, while her youngest Sarah resides in Pasir Gudang, Johor.
An experienced and accomplished seamstress, Robitah said she sewed a new set of baju raya for herself and a pair for Don, complete with a songkok to match.
"Although I no longer make outfits for people, I still take on alteration jobs from regular customers, including kampung folk and relatives who live nearby.
"This year, however, I do have quite a fair bit of free time on my hands. So I decided to make baju raya for myself, my grandchildren and Don.
"For Don's baju raya, I put together an ensemble from some really nice material. When I put them on him the other day, he didn't seem too happy about it... hissing and meowing at me in protest," she said with a laugh.
On the elegant traditional kampung house, she hoped to be able to share it with those who could appreciate its beauty.
"At the moment, I would be happy if any producer, director or filmmaker wants to use it as a location for any movie, drama, serial or advertisement. With the MCO 3.0, maybe this plan will take some time to materialise.
"I would be happy to see my house appear on the big screen, but this can wait.
"What's important now is to win in our battle against the virus so that we can reunite with our loved ones, especially for special celebrations like Hari Raya.
"It is important that we continue to adhere to the standard operating procedures. This is our responsibility and it is probably the biggest role we can ever play in this lifetime.
"It is not just for your health and safety, but also for those around you, your families and community. With that, I would like to wish my dear family and all Malaysians, 'Selamat Hari Raya, maaf zahir batin'. Let's work together to defeat the pandemic once and for all."