Millions of Asian Citizens Return Home for Eid

Not only in Indonesia, homecoming before Eid al-Fitr takes place in various Asian countries. South Asia to Southeast Asia shows the phenomenon.

Malaysian Public Works Minister Alexander Nantalinggi announced that the toll tariff discount will be effective from March 28-29, 2025. "The discount is a continuation of government assistance during the four main festive seasons in the Peninsula since 2023, to ease the cost of living," he said.

The peak of homecoming in Peninsular Malaysia is estimated to be on Friday (3/28/2025) night until early Sunday morning. While Eid al-Fitr will fall on Monday (3/31/2025). "Prepare your trip to avoid traffic jams," said Alexander.

Malaysia has set the Eid al-Fitr holiday on March 31-April 1, 2025. However, the holiday will start on March 29, 2025 because it falls on a weekend.

It's not just Malaysian Muslims who have celebrations next week. Chinese Malaysians celebrate Qing Ming on April 4, 2025. The day, which some Chinese Indonesians call Ceng Beng, is also marked by homecoming.

On that day, people honor their ancestors. The way, if possible, is to visit the graves of relatives and ancestors. If not, at least worship at the temple closest to the grave. Must go home.

Plus Malaysia, one of Malaysia's toll road operators, estimates that there will be at least 2.2 million cars crowding the toll roads in Peninsular Malaysia this weekend. While next weekend, because of the return flow plus Qing Ming aka Ceng Beng, the number of vehicles is expected to be even greater.

In the Klang Valley, a region of Malaysia that includes Kuala Lumpur, there are nine million people living. More than half are Muslims and Chinese who have migrated far from their hometowns. They will return home.

Malaysia's highway regulator, LLM, has also banned freight trucks from passing through this weekend and next. Toll roads are prioritized for passenger vehicles.

Media The Star reports, not only toll road operators are preparing to welcome travelers. Workshops are also full of cars being checked and repaired before the long journey begins.

Tire, engine, brake, and light checks are carried out. All anticipate traffic jams on long trips.

Due to the surge in customers, some workshops are turning away last-minute customers. Services are only provided to customers who have already placed orders. "We can't afford to add more," Azrai Mad Rasid told The Star.

Another mechanic, Foo Wei Khang, said that pre-homecoming checks could reduce various risks. If it breaks down in the middle of the road, it will obviously be late returning home. The repair costs could also be higher. "If it breaks down, it means the spare parts have to be replaced. It can't be replaced in the middle of the road, it has to be towed to the repair shop. Another cost," he said.

Another problem, there may not be any workshops open. Like everyone else, mechanics also want to go home.

Eid al-Fitr in Pakistan is also likely to be celebrated next Monday. Several North African countries may also celebrate Eid al-Fitr next Monday.

Pakistan's neighbor, India, also has the opportunity to celebrate Eid on the same day. The Hindu-majority country is home to tens of millions of Muslims. Some Indian and Pakistani Muslims work outside their hometowns.

In the run-up to Eid, millions of Indians and Pakistanis return home. Even if they don't celebrate, there are also those who just want to travel.

Homecoming in India is not just inter-provincial. Because many are migrant workers, homecoming in India involves traveling across countries.

Nearly 10 million Indians work in the Middle East. Only half of them return home, meaning five million people return home. In 2023, 33 million passengers were carried during the homecoming season in India.

Meanwhile in India, trains and highways are full. Everything is done to be able to gather with family on Eid. (AP/AFP)