Smooth start to Hari Raya travel at Kuching Sentral

KUCHING (March 19): The atmosphere at Kuching Sentral bus terminal here remained orderly as some travellers began their journeys to their villages ahead of Hari Raya Aidilfitri.

A visit to the terminal this afternoon found the overall mood calm and well-managed despite a noticeable increase in foot traffic.

Seating areas were nearly full, but passenger movement to boarding platforms remained systematic, suggesting a more staggered travel pattern compared to the usual festive rush.

Among those waiting was Nurul Amira, 22, who works at ICOM Square here and is returning to her village in Roban.

She said this is her first time taking a bus to her hometown for the festivities as she usually relies on family members for transport.

“Although it’s my first time using the bus for Hari Raya, I don’t mind as long as I can return home,” she told The Borneo Post, expecting a five-hour journey.

Rusdawati, an Indonesian national who has lived in Sarawak for 14 years, said she was excited to celebrate Hari Raya in her hometown of Tebas, Sambas with her Sarawakian husband.

“I am used to taking the bus, as I travel this way every festive season. Last year, I also took the bus to return to my hometown,” she said, adding she and her husband travel to Indonesia once every two years with their two children.

Latif Annuar, 40, a Sibu native who has worked here for five years, said preparations for the festive season had been smooth and noted that purchasing bus tickets was convenient.

“The ticket was easy to purchase because I bought it online, and the process did not take long,” he said.

Akmarizal Ohsen, a field supervisor returning to Bintangor, said he looks forward to the lively atmosphere in his hometown during the festive season.

He added that he will return to Kuching by bus after the celebrations, as he is currently based in Lundu for work.

Meanwhile, express bus driver Legan Marin, with 40 years of experience, said Hari Raya operations run like any other day.

“Today feels like any other day. There are no additional buses, as Hari Raya is not like Gawai where everyone returns home at once,” he said.