Barely two weeks before Merdeka Day, Negri Sembilan seamstress Rafidahnani Afandi is busy pulling 16-hour work days.
But she is taking it all in her stride, using her skills to promote the patriotic spirit as she fulfills last-minute orders for Merdeka-themed clothes.
"This year, I've completed 20 Merdeka costume sets for students participating in their schools' National Day dress competition. I have another 15 sets to stitch, mainly for officers from government agencies.
"Many customers, especially boys and men, have requested for baju melayu with a tengkolok (headpiece) with Merdeka-themed colours. They are inspired by the traditional costumes from the movie Mat Kilau," said Rafidahnani during a phone chat from Kuala Termis, an hour's drive from Seremban, recently.
It follows Mat Kilau's (played by Datuk Adi Putra) fight against British colonialists in Pahang before independence.
In the movie, Adi and the other cast members are seen in traditional baju melayu, complete with a tengkolok and keris.
During Merdeka month, the public celebrates Independence Day by putting up flags on vehicles and buildings. Rafidahnani says people should fly the Jalur Gemilang during Merdeka to show solidarity and add to the festivities.
"Kids should be taught to love their country and be proud of the Jalur Gemilang. They need to understand the importance of the spirit of patriotism and living in harmony. Because of their love for Malaysia, people should be proud to drape their bodies with the Jalur Gemilang," said Rafidahnani, who has been sewing Merdeka-themed clothes for seven years.
Using mainly cotton fabric, Rafidahnani stitches together blue, red, white and yellow colours in her costume designs to symbolise the Jalur Gemilang.
"I usually take a few hours to complete each costume while simpler ones take about an hour. I prefer to use cotton fabric instead of the actual Jalur Gemilang.
Each day, she spends 16 hours on her sewing machine to complete her orders in time for Merdeka Day, which falls on Aug 31.
The mother of two starts at 7.30am and continues till midnight, with a few breaks in between.
"It's tiring and stressful, as I have to juggle between completing my regular orders and the custom-made outfits for Merdeka. Each project is completed based on urgency," said Rafidahnani, who charges between RM80 and RM180 for her custom-made outfits.
Rafidahnani is exhausted, but she doesn't mind working hard to complete the orders because essentially, it is about adding festive cheer.
"Two years after the pandemic, we are finally able to celebrate Merdeka on a grander scale. I'm really looking forward to watching the annual Merdeka parade on television," explained Rafidahnani, who shares photos of her handmade creations on her Facebook page, Nani's Makeover.
Last Merdeka, Rafidahnani and her friends scaled Bukit Taiso in Bahau, Negri Sembilan, carting the Jalur Gemilang to the peak. She is planning to hike up Bukit Taiso to celebrate Merdeka this year too.
It won't be surprising if Rafidahnani wears a Merdeka-themed outfit to welcome the country's 65th Independence Day celebrations.
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Nani's Makeover
Rafidahnani doesn't mind burning the midnight oil to complete her orders for Merdeka-themed outfits. Photos: Rafidahnani Afandi
Kids should be taught to love their country and be proud of the Jalur Gemilang, says Rafidahnani.
Rafidahnani stitches together blue, red, white and yellow colours in this baju kurung to symbolise the Jalur Gemilang.
Kindergarten student Muhammad Harraz Nawfal Muhammad Noor Haniff, 6, wearing Rafidahnani's Merdeka outfit inspired by the movie 'Mat Kilau'.
Last year, Rafidahnani (third from left) celebrated Merdeka Day with her friends and family at Bukit Taiso in Bahau.
