KUALA LUMPUR: Sexy lingerie sets have reportedly become a hit among Malaysia's ethnic Chinese, who buy them to offer to their dead relatives on the Qingming Festival this Friday (April 4).

To mark the day, Chinese traditionally tend the graves of their departed loved ones and often burn paper money, model houses, cars, mobile phones and other goods as offerings to honour them and keep them comfortable in the afterlife.

But paper lingerie has become an increasingly popular offering for dead female relatives, Tan Lay Nah, owner of a paper model shop in the northern island state of Penang, told The Star daily.

"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 said.

A matching set of floral underwear trimmed with gold-coloured studs costs four ringgit.

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

Malaysia's Chinese will observe the Qingming Festival on April 4 where people will tend to the graves of their departed loved ones.

She said many of the popular designs had already been sold out ahead of Friday's festival. (AFP)