Sea of patriotism: Tuan Yah waving a Jalur Gemilang among the flags that adorn the area around her home in Kampung Kubang Bongor, Melor. She carries on her late husband’s tradition of flag raising. — Bernama
KOTA BARU: The Jalur Gemilang is a symbol of love for our homeland. But for one elderly woman, every flag raised around her home carries a far deeper meaning.
The red, white, blue and yellow of the national flag not only represents Tuan Yah Tuan Yeh’s pride as a Malaysian, it also embodies the sacrifices of her late husband, who once shielded the nation against the communist threat.
The 66-year-old recalled that for over a decade, her husband Zahari Abdullah – who served in the armed forces for 13 years – was among the busiest people in Kampung Kubang Bongor, Melor, during national month celebrations.
He would tirelessly search for bamboo or wood to make flagpoles to fly the Jalur Gemilang, she said.
“Every year before Aug 31, he would begin decorating our house, padi fields and the farm with the Jalur Gemilang.
“He even hung independence-themed banners until Sept 16 to create a festive atmosphere in the village.
“Although he spent about RM600 from his own pocket to buy more than 500 flags of various sizes for the decoration, Zahari never once complained.
“Three years ago, he even built replica cannons and traditional moon kites from recycled material, decorated them with the Jalur Gemilang and placed them near the padi fields and quail pens – all to reignite the spirit of independence,” she told Bernama in an interview at her home recently.
However, August has not been the same since last year when Zahari died after a fall at home, leaving behind cherished memories and an enduring legacy of patriotism.
Determined not to let her husband’s patriotic spirit be buried with him, Tuan Yah, a former nurse at the 1Malaysia Clinic in Jelawat, Bachok, has taken over his efforts to spearhead decoration efforts in the village.
With the help of her children and neighbours, the mother of four and grandmother of five has strung the Jalur Gemilang along the lane and yard of her house.
For her, it is both a way to honour her late husband’s memory and an expression of her enduring love for the nation.
“Villagers often ask me why I still put up so many Jalur Gemilang even though my husband is gone.
“That is when I tell them about his struggles and the sacrifices of his comrades in the armed forces, that the freedom we enjoy today was earned through the blood, sweat and tears of the security forces who defended our nation’s sovereignty,” she said.
