PENANG, MALAYSIA - Dressing up in sexy undergarments is not only for the living. Paper paraphernalia burnt for the dead now include lingerie.

Matching cardboard-made brassieres and panties in various colours and designs are selling like hot cakes at Choon Ban Heong in Magazine Road here.

The colourful bras, ranging from simple plain colour ones to sexy leopard prints, are also carefully lined with colourful trimmings and decorated with tiny paper butterflies.

Shop owner Tay Lay Nah said the "intimate clothing" were in the market last year but had improved a lot in design and pattern.

"The paper undergarments we imported from China this year are of much better quality.

"They also come in more creative designs this year, such as the sweet flowery prints and sophisticated monogram designs to cater to different tastes," she said.

Tay said the underwear sets, selling at RM4 each, received a good response from her clients.

"Most customers find them cute and would usually add a few sets to go with other paper clothing and items such as dresses, bags and shoes for their female family members to use in the other world," she added.

Tay said many of the popular designs have been sold out although Qing Ming only falls on April 4.

At several other prayer paraphernalia shops in George Town, the undergarment sets were also seen receiving a good response from customers.