Young executives told theSun how their first years in the workforce have reshaped the annual ritual of returning to their hometowns.
PETALING JAYA: For many young professionals, balik kampung for Hari Raya is no longer just about festive anticipation – it is a logistical challenge shaped by corporate schedules, leave approvals and rising travel pressures.
From coordinating time off to choosing the most practical way home, young executives told theSun how their first years in the workforce have reshaped the annual ritual of returning to their hometowns.
For fresh graduates adjusting to corporate life, Hari Raya planning now involves managing tight work deadlines, securing leave and navigating crowded highways and transport systems during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.
Audit associate Nur Syuhada Ahmad, 23, has already settled on her mode of transport.
“I’m taking the bus for sure,” she said when met recently.
“I have been using express buses to travel back and forth to my hometown in Pahang since my study days.”
For Syuhada, the predictability of bus travel offers peace of mind. With highways typically congested as city dwellers head home for the festive break, she prefers to avoid traffic fatigue and focus on reuniting with her family.
Fellow auditor Fatin Ilani Hamzah, 24, is also leaning towards public transport, although she remains open to alternatives.
“I’m planning to use public transport, but if possible, I might carpool with a friend,” she said.
“There are a couple of friends I know who will be driving back to Perak this coming Raya. If our leave is aligned, then I might carpool with one of them.”
For Fatin, flexibility is key. Coordinating travel plans depends largely on leave approvals and synchronising schedules with friends, reflecting the balancing act young professionals face between work commitments and festive preparations.
For Ammar Afifi Jumaat, 24, the approach is different. He plans to drive back to his hometown in Johor Bahru, and he will not be travelling alone.
“(I will) drive to my hometown with my loved one,” he said, adding a light-hearted note.
The couple is set to tie the knot early next year, making the journey home even more meaningful.
“I’m lucky to be with someone from my hometown and working together in the capital. We can always go back to our kampung together,” he said.
He added that driving offers flexibility, particularly for young professionals who may need to settle work matters before beginning their journey.
Meanwhile, financial consultant Zalia Najwa Zainal, 23, plans to take the wheel herself.
“Driving and carpool with my cat only,” she joked.
For all of them, the transition from student life to full-time employment has reshaped how they approach festive travel.
Previously, academic calendars dictated semester breaks. Now, leave approvals depend on workplace demands, team schedules and professional responsibilities.
The Sun Malaysia
