Among the divers taking on the role of Underwater Santa is professional diver Mohd Salwa Mustaffa. With over 17 years of diving experience, he told Bernama that wearing a Santa costume made of velvet and faux fur while underwater is no easy task as the material becomes heavier in water, making it more challenging for him to move.

“I wear the costume over my diving suit, so it’s essentially two layers. During feeding sessions, I usually stay in one spot and avoid moving too far. This is crucial to ensure my safety and comfort,” he shared.

Mohd Salwa said during each feeding session, he swims to the bottom of the aquarium, which is 4m deep, to feed over 5,000 aquatic animals in the sprawling facility.

For him, the joy of children upon seeing him dressed as Santa serves motivates him to give his best “performance”.

“Many children have never seen Santa Claus underwater. I use simple gestures to interact with them, like waving or making heart shapes with my hands… it makes them feel excited and happy.

“As for the marine animals, the moment I hold the food, they swarm around me as usual. These fish are familiar with us and comfortable being with us.”

The father of four said sometimes things get comical when the Santa beard gets into his mouth while he uses the oxygen regulator.

“At first, it felt strange and uncomfortable, but I got used to it over time,” he said with a laugh.

Other festivals like Hari Raya and Chinese New Year also see Aquaria KLCC divers wearing special costumes underwater.

“For Hari Raya, we wear traditional Malay attire, while for Chinese New Year, we have lion dances underwater. On National Day, we carry the Malaysian flag. It’s our way of celebrating our festivals and important events together.

“Although I’m not a Christian, I take pride in playing the role of Santa Claus underwater to bring happiness to all our visitors,” he concluded.

Underwater Santa will perform at Aquaria KLCC at 12pm daily until Dec 25.