Hassri putting up the Jalur Gemilang alongside the Johor flag at his home in Kampung Bendahara, Johor Baru. — Photos: Thomas Yong and Mohd Farhaan Shah/The Star
FROM kampung homes to coastal waters, temples and community courts, Johoreans are finding unique ways to express patriotism this National Day.
In Kampung Bendahara, Johor Baru, furniture maker Hassri Abdul Kadir has decorated his home with Jalur Gemilang, despite battling health issues since early August.
The father-of-three said raising the national flag in August was a tradition for his family.
“Preparations may be limited this year due to my weak knees, but I ensure that the Jalur Gemilang is displayed at my home,” he said when met.
This year, Hassri has put up 150 flags around his house, including at the entrance and on a replica of the PETRONAS Twin Towers.
Hassri, 58, started the tradition of decorating his home for National Day in 2014, initially with just 10 flags.
But from 2015 onwards, his passion grew after joining the National Month Cheerfulness Competition (Pertandingan Keceriaan Bulan Kebangsaan) organised by the local Rukun Tetangga and Johor Baru district unity office.
“Since then, I have put up hundreds of flags each year.
“It is my way of celebrating and encouraging others, especially the younger generation, to follow suit,” he said.
Hassri, however, said youth participation remained lukewarm and suggested more community-level contests be organised to get them involved.
“I started because of a competition, but over time it has become a passion,” he added.
Meanwhile, the Straits of Johor burst into colour as 30 fishing boats from Kampung Sungai Melayu staged a patriotic convoy.
Nearly 100 Jalur Gemilang of various sizes fluttered on the vessels as they travelled more than three kilometres from Puteri Harbour jetty to the village.
Kota Iskandar assemblyman Datuk Pandak Ahmad praised the villagers for their creativity in celebrating National Day, as it showcased unity among the maritime community who depended on the sea for their livelihoods.
The convoy, which took about 20 minutes to get to the village, also included the symbolic handover of Jalur Gemilang to 11 village heads in the constituency.
Kamaruddin: Boat convoy symbolic of our love for the nation.
Convoy leader Kamaruddin Ahmad said the programme was symbolic of the fishermen’s love for the nation.
The tradition of decorating boats with the Jalur Gemilang and Johor flags began in 2012, and has since become an annual highlight in the fishing community, he said.
“In the past, we paraded our boats close to our villages. This year, we made it different by starting from Puteri Harbour,” he said.
Kamaruddin said the initiative was supported by Kampung Sungai Melayu eco-tourism operators, who viewed the convoy as both a patriotic act and tourism attraction.
He said 100 fishing boats involved in eco-tourism were also adorned with the Jalur Gemilang throughout National Month.
Not to be outdone, the Arulmigu Rajamariamman Devasthanam temple youth group also contributed by encouraging the public to express their patriotism.
The youths distributed 350 Malaysian flags to the public as part of their first-ever National Day initiative.
Vinodtheran (right) and his team members handing out flags in Johor Baru.
Group chairman S. Vinodtheran said the temple also had 500 flags of various sizes displayed on its grounds.
“The idea is to remind Malaysians that flying the flag is a shared duty and a symbol of national pride.”
The initiative, he said, was supported with a RM7,000 allocation from the state government – channelled to the youth group for the first time.
With around 70 active group members, Vinodtheran hopes to continue the effort annually.
Wang (left) putting up the Malaysian flag at the multipurpose hall in Kampung Baru Plentong for their National Day celebration.
Meanwhile, in Kampung Baru Plentong, residents held their own National Day celebration drawing people of all races together.
Village chief Wang Lam Hee said the event at the multipurpose court included colouring contest, karaoke competition and a traditional attire contest, which were popular with the crowd.
“For me, the National Day celebration is about uniting the people – Malay, Chinese, Indian and even our Sabah and Sarawak friends,” he said.
This year, his committee distributed 250 Malaysian flags to 1,000 villagers to encourage them to display patriotism. — By MOHD FARHAAN SHAH
