By now, it’s been more than a month since the initial Movement Control Order (MCO) in Malaysia came into effect. After two extensions (with a third extension already confirmed), you’d think that Malaysians have all but adapted to these frankly weird times.
Weird is definitely an understatement in this case.
Many things have changed in Malaysia, especially in cities like Kuala Lumpur. The once lively metropolis doesn’t seem as busy. Schools and educational institutions are still closed. And only essential services i.e. F&B, grocery stores, etc. are allowed to continue operating, providing us with a semblance of normality that most Malaysians are desperately craving for right now.
Well, as normal as normal can get when you have to stick to a strict guideline when it comes to your weekly grocery shopping. This means only a handful of people are allowed into any grocery store at a time, and patrons must practise proper social distancing while outside. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. Don’t get us started on the economic impact this terrible global pandemic has had (or will have) on the country.
On the bright side, many are using this “break” to be with their families. While others aren’t so lucky as they can only wait out the storm before being able to head home. But waiting doesn’t always have to be boring.
Malaysians have started to come up with creative ways to keep themselves occupied. Some may attempt to pick up new skills, whereas others may fall back on video games to pass the time. And others still may also try their hands at the social media game by shooting TikTok videos.
Here’s what life is like under the MCO in Malaysia — in the form of Instagram posts for your viewing pleasure.
The Budding Culinarists
Unsurprisingly, Malaysians have started to busy themselves with an array of culinary projects — as evident by the dozens of pictures and videos featuring mouthwatering home-cooked dishes and recipes on Instagram.
One particular dish that speaks to the soul of a KL-ite is a traditional bowl of steaming hot Pan Mee. And this user has perfectly encapsulated the essence of Pan Mee in their attempt to recreate a homemade version of the celebrated dish.
If you can’t get to Pan Mee outside, might as well bring the Pan Mee to you, right?
Who can forget Nasi Lemak?
This dish is the staple breakfast food of choice for Malaysians before the start of the MCO. But nowadays, you’ll find it difficult to locate many (if any) vendors selling the beloved local cuisine — which is precisely why you should learn how to make your own at home!
@omakase_at_home shows that you do not have to go out to have a grand Japanese feast.
For those hankering for a bite of burger, look no further than MyBurgerLab. The popular burger joint is currently offering a DIY home kit (including instructions and most of the ingredients) for you to make your own version of their famed burgers from the comforts of home.
Their fragrantly toasted signature black brioche buns sandwiching a juicy meat patty, along with a whole host of other ingredients and condiments will surely make your days in isolation a brighter affair.
Baristas In Training
If you haven’t been living under a “social media” rock, you would’ve undoubtedly come across the latest trend in the art of café — Dalgona coffee. This simple coffee variation uses only three ingredients (instant coffee, water, and sugar) to create the most frothy cup of joe.
Also to no one’s surprise, more variations of the classic Dalgona coffee have been popping up of late. Case in point, this non-sugar, affogato version of the beverage is sure to satiate even the most hardcore coffee drinkers.
For non-coffee drinkers, a matcha variation of the drink also exists.
Who doesn’t love a good old cup of Milo? Especially if you take it up a notch and whisk it to frothy perfection.
The Cities of Malaysia
Truly a far cry from the once vibrant and often gridlocked streets of KL, the city now falls eerily silent. @siva_wwc’s post capturing the before and after of the MCO is definitely worth a watch for the baffling spectacle of KL’s seemingly abandoned roads.
Up north, a similar situation is present in Georgetown, Penang where the once-bustling highways often filled with traffic jams are now deserted.
In the east, Kuching City — touted as a sleepy town — is akin to a ghost town. Its roads are empty and most businesses are shut tightly before the sun even sets, truly emphasizing the gravitas of this pandemic.
The Netflix Binger
Now that most Malaysians are suddenly “burdened” by a ton of free time, the most logical thing to do would be to try and pick up a few new skills, right?
For some, that is indeed the case. For others, this blessing in disguise is a great opportunity to catch up on their ever-increasing library of Netflix shows to watch.
Hey all you cool cats and kittens.
Tiger King is a true-crime documentary that dives into the realm of big cat breeding in the United States and features a cast of almost larger than life characters. Even if you aren’t interested in the genre, this TV documentary is still worth a watch for some of the hilarious Internet memes that came out of the show.
The latest instalment of crime drama, Money Heist will inject a dose of thrill and excitement in your otherwise dull MCO days.
Getting Fit Indoors
Being stuck indoors during the MCO isn’t a reason to stay sedentary. In fact, a lot of Malaysians have begun adapting their workouts to fit (get it?) their home environment since, well, gyms aren’t going to be opened for the foreseeable future.
Get your heart pumping with some short high-intensity workouts. To add a fun twist, make it a challenge and tag your social media friends to do the same.
Circuit training is also a good way to burn those calories in a fraction of the time. Simply pick from a few bodyweight exercises (say, maybe around five to six per set) and do them consecutively. That’s one circuit. Repeat for as many times as you can with minimal rest between sets.
We promise you’ll be sweating buckets at the end of your short workout.
If all else fails, perhaps taking a virtual fitness class would better motivate you to workout?
Standing in Solidarity
While this pandemic has brought about some of the darkest days in the nation’s history, there’s always a silver lining. Nothing exemplifies the Malaysian spirit than the tireless efforts by the frontliners, essential workers, food delivery drivers, volunteers, and so on who’ve poured their blood, sweat, and tears (most importantly risking their own health) to ensure that the country keeps moving forwards.
Indeed, tragedy does bring us together as Malaysians.
The selfless volunteers are especially appreciated in these times of need.
And while the hospitality industry grinds to a screeching halt, it’s great to see that our hotels are still showing support to the country in their own special way.
