“We always have dinner together before the Lunar New Year itself,” she told The Jakarta Post over the phone on Monday (Feb 16). The last time such a rare overlap occurred was in the late 1990s, when the Lunar New Year fell in the middle of Ramadan. Despite differences in faith, Aprillia described the “joyful” connection with her extended family, noting how her relatives accepted her practices. “Since becoming Muslim, my relatives aren’t close anymore,” the 53-year-old, who still uses her Chinese name, told the Post on Monday. Floods damaged homes in Aceh Tamiang regency, including those of Aling’s extended family.

Source: The Star February 18, 2026 10:40 UTC