It will be a modest New Year's Eve celebration for most Malaysians as they opt to stay home with family members out of respect for the recent flood victims.
They are doing this in solidarity with their fellow citizens as they are aware that many people are still suffering in the aftermath of the disaster.
Kolej Universiti Poly-Tech Mara Kuala Lumpur lecturer Nur Ilyani Hadzir, 37, said celebrating the New Year moderately was the way to go.
"People have the option to enjoy this occasion with their loved ones, friends or family members, but they have to show empathy and compassion for those who have been impacted by the floods.
"And, not everyone has the opportunity to splurge at luxurious hotels or go out to celebrate," said Ilyani, who hails from Raub, Pahang, and lives in Pandan Perdana here.
She said she would gather with family members to usher in 2023.
"Since it is a holiday, everyone will have the opportunity to gather for a catch-up session.
"Usually, I'll go back to my hometown to spend time with my family and enjoy the fruits that grow in our garden."
She said it had become the norm for her family to spend time together on New Year's Eve, even when the country experienced movement controls at the height of the Covid-19 pandemic.
"Even during the pandemic, when it had been forbidden for us to travel, I organised a small virtual gathering with my family members."
International Islamic University of Malaysia student Amal Farahiyah Walid, 23, said the New Year's Eve celebrations should be more about quality time with the family.
"I don't usually organise any event to celebrate New Year's Eve, as I often use the day to strengthen family bonds.
"This year, though, I won't do much out of sympathy for those impacted by floods in my hometown," said Amal, referring to her family's home in Chenih, Kemaman, Terengganu.
Aliah Farhana Azman, 24, who is from Lahad Datu, Sabah, agreed with Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim's decision to cancel the New Year Eve's celebration in Dataran Merdeka.
She said it was a wise decision, especially in light of the recent Batang Kali deadly landslide.
"I'm concerned that if we continue with the celebration, people will misinterpret and turn it into a racial issue."
Anwar announced on Dec 21 that the government would cancel the usual large-scale New Year's Eve celebration at Dataran Merdeka due to floods in several states and people's hardship.
Meanwhile, a spokesman from the Sunway Group said the firework display for New Year's Eve at the Sunway Pyramid shopping mall would be cancelled following the government's call to put off celebrations.
However, it will still proceed with countdown concerts at Sunway Lagoon and Sunway Velocity Mall.
A spokesman from One Utama shopping mall told the New Straits Times that it was concentrating more on the Chinese New Year celebration rather than the new year.
She said the mall would begin putting up Chinese New Year decorations today.
On the scaled-down celebrations at malls for the new year, Goh Zhi Li, 22, from Bukit Jalil, said this would prevent congregation of huge crowds and the spread of Covid-19.
"I would rather avoid the crowds at shopping malls by staying home and getting some rest.
"The prime minister only called off the celebration. There are no restrictions for the public to gather. We must be responsible and wear masks in crowded places."
However, freelance worker Perabakaran Parasuraman, 23, shared a different opinion.
The Petaling Jaya resident said New Year's Eve was a good time to let one's hair down and mark a fresh start.
"To ring in a new year with renewed hope, I will probably spend New Year's Eve in Genting Highlands or Sunway Lagoon.
"In fact, a large celebration is an opportunity to raise funds in aid of the flood and recent landslide victims."