ALL major shopping malls in the Klang Valley are decked out in elaborate decorations to usher in the Chinese New Year on February 5.

While it is the pig’s turn this year to get its moment of glory based on the rotational Chinese zodiac calendar, hardly a hint of the animal can be seen in malls, as retailers fear upsetting and losing more conservative Muslim shoppers.

The Malaysian Insight visited 10 top shopping malls in the Klang Valley and found only one featured pigs in its decorations. Even then, the animal was barely visible as it was hidden by the “safer” floral theme for which the mall opted.

To avoid having to depict the pig, which is deemed an unclean animal by Muslims, several malls are decorating their premises with traditional Chinese architecture, such as the Grand Palace hall in Pavilion and Hakka-styled residence in Sunway Pyramid.

IOI Mall features ancient Chinese war figures, complete with costumes and setting.

Meanwhile, Suria KLCC’s decoration features oranges, which are a sign for good luck among the Chinese. It also placed orange trees next to the main stage in the mall and in the centre of the outdoor area.

Other malls are adopting an approach completely unrelated to the Lunar New Year, such as Paradigm Mall which uses Japanese cartoon character Doraemon as its main theme.

Some visitors interviewed by The Malaysian Insight said they are not surprised by the lack of images depicting the pig this year.

A shopper, who only wanted to be named as Lin, 40, said she realised that many shopping malls did not use the pig as their main decoration.

She said the malls’ management may have taken into consideration the feelings of Muslims and their views towards the animal as unclean.

She also believed that the Chinese are unperturbed by the lack of pig images.

“It is impossible to ask the management to use a huge golden pig decoration in the malls as what is done in other countries – for example, like in Hong Kong. We must also consider the feelings of others,” she said.

Lin Zhonglin, 50, said the relationship between the various ethnic groups in the country has been strained in the past few years, hence it is understandable if malls are cautious about their decorations this year.

“We don’t have to worry about unhappiness or causing a dispute over the decorations. Those are not important.” – January 28, 2019.