Thanks you for the quick response, my flight was scheduled for 24th December. I had a connecting flight through KL, but both were with MAS. Malaysian airlines did monopoly here. They cancelled the ticket and converted it to an open ticket without our concern.
Their customer support is equipped with a bunch of idiots. When we called them immediately, they have provided the info like we would get a refund in 4-6 months. Now they say your ticket is converted to an open ticket, and you can book the alternative flight. Irony, they don't have any alternative flight hence I left with two options either leave it open or cancel the ticket. They are charging $ 400 (*5= 2000 ) for each individual for cancelling it. The open ticket has the minimal option as each individual only can use it, and we have very limited options in Australia for using the Malaysian airlines.