Families combine Malaysia’s National Day with personal milestones and traditions
WHILE Malaysians celebrate National Day with patriotic fervour, Aug 31 has more personal significance to some families.
For siblings Puteri Nur Azzahra Aziz, 15, and Putera Muhammad Aryan Aziz, eight, the date is doubly significant as it marks both of their birthdays.
Their mother, film producer Puteri Lily Lokman, 37, said having both children born on Aug 31 was not planned and it was purely a remarkable coincidence.
“My daughter Azzahra was due to be born on Aug 31, 2011.
“It was a difficult delivery and I thought she would be born the next day, but she was born at the tail end of the day at 11.45pm,” she said.
However, Lily said the due date for her son Aryan was actually Sept 17, 2018.
“I had discussed with the doctor about delivering him on Sept 16, which is Malaysia Day, but he was born naturally on Aug 31,” she said.
That year, Lily said she had planned a small birthday party for Azzahra at her grandparents’ house, but everything changed when she went into labour.
Not wanting to let the occasion go by without a celebration, Lily contacted the event decorators and arranged for her private hospital room to be decorated for Azzahra’s birthday.
“My family members gathered in my hospital room to celebrate Azzahra’s birthday, while I joined the celebration via video call from the labour room,” she said.
For the family, Aug 31 has since become a majorly significant date.
The day marks two personal milestones for Lily, which were the births of her children.
As she raised them, she said she would often dress the siblings in outfits inspired by the colours of the Jalur Gemilang for photo shoots to mark their birthdays when they were younger.
“Now that they are older, they have developed their own personalities and want to have their own themes.
“But I love looking back at the photo shoots we did when they were younger, and cherish those memories,” she said.
Azzahra, who is also a TV personality known as Ara, said seeing fireworks at the stroke of midnight on her birthday was special.
“It feels like everyone is in a celebratory mood,” said the student.
“Another perk is the guaranteed holiday, so my birthday parties are difficult to miss,” she quipped.
On sharing her birthday with her brother, Azzahra said she looked forward to it.
“Many people think that my brother will take the spotlight off me and make my birthday less significant, but it is the opposite.
“Now, I have two birthdays to look forward to!
“It makes the celebration even more special, especially after being an only child for seven years.
“I have someone to be excited with,” she said, adding that it would also be easier for her mother to plan just one party instead of two.
Merdeka birthday
For general practitioner Dr G. Kushalini from Ampang, Selangor, National Day has always been synonymous with family time, as loved ones gather to celebrate her birthday.
The younger of two siblings, Dr Kushalini said her home would be filled with family, love and merriment as relatives arrived to mark the occasion.
“Until I was five, I was looked after by my maternal grandparents and extended family members in Seremban, Negri Sembilan, while my parents worked in Kuala Lumpur.
“For a long time, I was the youngest member of the extended family and the apple of everyone’s eye.
“So, every National Day was a big celebration in my house and it has become a tradition.
“Since it is a public holiday, it is also very convenient for everyone to attend,” she added.
As she turns 40 today, Dr Kushalini is certain her family has celebration plans for her.
“I love to travel, but will not plan anything during my birthday week because I know my family will have something special in store for me.
“Every birthday is a busy but joyous occasion surrounded by loved ones,” she said.
Double celebration
For Cheras couple Jasmine Yoong and Tan Chee Wee, both 52, tying the knot on National Day brought a welcome bonus: a guaranteed public holiday for every wedding anniversary.
The date was chosen because it was considered auspicious according to the Chinese calendar.
“When we were looking for a suitable date to get married in 2003, it was a coincidence that Aug 31 was one of the good dates.
“Our preferred wedding venue was also available on the day. Since it was going to be a public holiday, we thought it would be convenient for our guests to attend the wedding,” said Yoong.
The public holiday also means the couple are free to spend quality time together on every anniversary.
“We used to joke that the fireworks were for us! And we always go out for dinner on that day.
“My husband and I never fail to go out on a date to celebrate our wedding anniversary.
“Despite being married for more than two decades, we have never had a problem remembering our wedding anniversary and always look forward to this special day,” she said.
Yoong and Tan have two sons, aged 21 and 18.
Home patriotism
One family turns their home into a display of national pride every August.
For father-of-three Mohd Khusairi Md Husin, 42, putting up the Jalur Gemilang is more than just decoration.
He said it was a family tradition and a way of teaching his children to appreciate the country.
A week or two before Aug 31, he hangs flags along the perimeter fence, balcony and windows of his house.
By the time the day arrives, the home stands out proudly in their Taman M Aruna neighbourhood in Rawang, Selangor.
Decorating the house has become something Mohd Khusairi, a vehicle spare parts seller, looks forward to every Merdeka.
“It reminds me of how fortunate we are to live in a peaceful country.
“I want my children to understand that the Jalur Gemilang represents our country and the sacrifices made by those who came before us.
“On that day, we watch the parade live, either at the location or on TV,” he said.
Mohd Khusairi said his children also joined him in putting up the flags, turning the preparations into a family activity.
“I am not doing it to join any competition; it is to spur the patriotic spirit in my family.
“The tradition may seem simple but it carries a meaningful message that patriotism begins at home.
“After Malaysia Day on Sept 16, we will take the flags down and store them properly to be reused in the following years,” he said.
