As Malaysians celebrate Hari Raya this week, the balik kampung tradition will have to be given a miss again. However, our thoughts can still carry us home. FOR the second year running, Sungai Balang Besar village in Muar district will be quiet this Hari Raya. A former village head used to joke that on normal days there are probably about 30 cars in the village. During the festive occasion the number swells to 400. There would be traffic jams in many places as the small road in the village could only accommodate one car passing through at a time. Like most villages during the celebration, anak-anak perantau (literally wanderers) will come back braving the traffic on the highways just to be with their loved ones. The balik kampung exodus is a very Malaysian thing.