Malaysians aim for romance in tangerine toss

KUALA LUMPUR - Thousands of Malaysians gathered in a park in the capital to toss tangerines into water, hoping the fruits would be picked up by a potential romantic partner.

The decades-old custom, still observed among Malaysians of Chinese descent in this majority Muslim nation, takes place on the final night of the 15-day lunar new year celebration, widely celebrated as the Chinese Valentine's Day.

According to the custom begun in northern Malaysia, unmarried women tossed tangerines into the sea, hoping the fruits would be picked up by young men who could become their future husband.