KUCHING: For many Sarawakians living and working outside the state, the journey home for Hari Raya Aidilfitri is not just another trip.
It is an emotional homecoming filled with anticipation, sacrifice and the simple joy of being reunited with loved ones.
Every year, as the festive season approaches, thousands of Sarawakians scattered across Peninsular Malaysia begin the familiar ritual of searching for flight tickets, planning leave and counting the days until they can finally return home.
While rising airfares, limited seats and long travel hours remain common challenges, many say the chance to celebrate Raya with family makes every ringgit spent worthwhile.
Civil servant Siti Rohani, is among those who had to carefully plan her journey back to Sarawak this year.
She said she had started browsing for flight tickets as early as January but was only able to secure a seat just two days before Raya.
The return ticket cost her about RM1,300 a price she admitted was steep, but unavoidable.
“Even though the ticket is expensive, I still have to go back home,” she said.
Rohani explained that festive demand often pushes ticket prices higher, making it difficult to secure affordable flights closer to the celebration.
For her trip home, she will be using a mix of transport — flying back to Sarawak and taking a ride-hailing service to the airport.
She added that she prefers flying with Malaysia Airlines rather than AirAsia, citing past experiences with flight delays.
But despite the costly journey, Rohani said the thought of returning home makes it all worthwhile.
“I’m happy because I’ll finally get to gather with my family again. I’m really looking forward to the Raya traditions — asking for forgiveness, spending time together and enjoying Sarawak favourites like Sarawak laksa, kolok mee and kek lapis Sarawak,” she said.
For Mohd Firdaus Sarakawi, an assistant medical officer, planning ahead was the only way to manage the cost of travelling during the festive rush.
He said he purchased flight tickets more than two months in advance for his family, spending about RM2,000 for the return journey to Sarawak.
Although the price is higher than usual, Firdaus said it is something most Sarawakians expect during major celebrations.
“During festive seasons, ticket prices will definitely increase, but it is still worth it because it is for celebrating together,” he said.
Like many others working far from home, flying is the only realistic option for him.
“Flying is the only option available — unless you swim,” he joked, saying that apart from occasional flight delays, his travel experience has generally been smooth.
For Firdaus, the biggest reason to endure the journey is the rare opportunity to return home.
“Because of work commitments, I can usually only go back once a year. So when Raya comes, I really look forward to finally returning to my hometown,” he said.
Meanwhile, Siti Zulaikha Abdullah, a sales assistant currently working in Penang, said early planning helped her manage the rising cost of travel.
She booked her flight as early as December last year and paid about RM800 for a return ticket from Penang to Sibu.
Even with early booking, she admitted the price was still relatively high.
However, she said this is something travellers often have to accept during the festive season due to the surge in demand for flights. Her journey home is not a simple one either.
Because there are no direct flights from Penang to Sibu, she must transit in Kuala Lumpur before continuing her journey to Sarawak.
“Usually I have to wait at least three hours during the transit before boarding the next flight,” she said.
Despite the long journey, Zulaikha said the excitement of returning home easily outweighs the inconvenience.
“As someone living away from home, going back to my hometown is always something I look forward to.
“The happiest moment is being able to meet my family again and spend quality time together because time with family is very precious,” she said.
For Aida Madeli, a senior customer service executive working in Kuala Lumpur, this year’s travel experience was slightly easier.
She managed to secure a return ticket for just RM286, about RM143 one way which she described as a reasonable price for the festive period.
“I booked the ticket about a month earlier. I think it’s quite cheap for the Raya season,” she said.
Like many Sarawakians working in Kuala Lumpur, flying is the only practical way for her to return home.
Fortunately, she said she did not encounter any major problems while planning her trip this year.
More than anything, Aida said she is excited about the atmosphere of celebrating Raya in Sarawak.
“I’m looking forward to celebrating with my family and experiencing the unique Raya culture in Sarawak. It’s always lively and special because people from different races celebrate together,” she said.
As the festive season draws closer, thousands of Sarawakians across the country are preparing for the long-awaited journey home, navigating expensive fares, crowded airports and long travel hours.
But for many, the destination makes the journey worthwhile. Because at the end of it all lies the familiar warmth of family, the laughter of loved ones, and the comforting taste of home.
