by Tan Jie Ee
Fancy an iPad going for only RM9.80, a 13.3-inch dual-core processor laptop for under RM12 and an iPhone 4 for a mere RM2 each?
However, there is a catch, while anyone can buy it, only the dead can use it.
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Paper replicas iPad and iPhone cost no more than RM10. |
Angeli Choo, 43, a Chinese prayer item shop worker said paper replicas of electronic items are getting more popular for the Qing Ming Festival (Chinese All Souls’ Day).
“Customers want their dearly departed to be able to keep up with the latest in information technology (IT), besides the usual ‘luxury’ offerings of bungalows with maids and security guards, watches, designer bags and gold ingots. The ‘iPad’ even comes with a USB cable for charging and syncing,” she said.
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Choo showing “roast duck, chicken and pork” for the Qing Ming Festival. |
Even the specifications are literally out of this world. While the current largest storage size for iPads in our world is 64GB, the “other world” users are already using iPads with an auspiciously whopping 888GB!
Miniature luxury cars and electrical appliances are also popular items, according to James Ong, a retail supervisor at the Bee Chin Heong.
“The Toyota Alphard MPV, BMW 6 Series and Mercedes-Benz S-Class are among the favourites.
Various paper replicas cars or electronical appliances as to offer at Ong’s shop.
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Besides electronic appliances, paper replica clothing are provided. |
“LCD television sets are also in constant demand,” he said, adding that most paper replica products were available within two weeks after the real stuff hit the market.
“Whatever people have and enjoy in real life, they want their departed ones to have,” said Lim Say Saik, a businesswoman who has been in the prayer paraphernalia business for over 20 years.
Qing Ming Festival which falls on April 5 where the day families will go to the ancestor’s tomb for cleaning.
Besides of hi-tech products there are others thousands of products in various categories, including food and beverage, clothing, cars, motorcycles, consumer electronics and even boats.
“You don’t have to worry when you die,” she said.
However, no information is available on Internet solutions and pricing for the after world.
Perhaps the ancestors will have to figure out their own which monthly plans and device give the best commitments and services.
