IPOH: The Bukit Merah Chinese New Village here is proudly adorned with the colours of the Jalur Gemilang, with over 150 flags hoisted ahead of National Day.
Village Development and Security Committee (JPKK) chairman Choo Choon Kee said its members began raising the flags last Friday and Saturday, focusing on main areas such as the market street, road junctions and the two arch entrances to the village.
“The flags are placed at prominent spots so that everyone can feel the spirit of Merdeka.
“The committee spent up to RM3,000 last year. This year, we received funds from the Housing and Local Government Ministry to buy the flags and poles, and pay for installation,” he said when met at the village yesterday.
Choo said villagers were also encouraged to display the Jalur Gemilang outside their homes – there are over 1,000 houses in the village.
“We also remind them to display the national flag properly,” he said, adding that checks are made on the flags daily.
Choo said strong winds and occasional vandalism pose challenges, but the committee has been quick to repair or replace damaged flags.
He said the flags are placed in straight rows along the roads.
“This is about showing unity and pride. Every flag we put up carries that spirit,” he said.
Over at the Changkat Kinding Chinese New Village near here, the JPKK began putting up the Jalur Gemilang at the start of the month.
Its chairman Wong Chin Siang said about 10 flags have been hoisted at the main entrance of the village, adding that more would be added during a community gathering aimed at strengthening unity among villagers.
“SJK (C) Changkat Kinding in the village is also actively involved, with flags prominently displayed on their grounds.
“While some flags are distributed through parliamentary allocations, many families choose to buy their own.
“There are about 92 houses here and we encourage all to put up the Jalur Gemilang to showcase their pride,” he added.
Meanwhile, Villager Lee Ah Lek, 85, is continuing a lifelong tradition of raising the Jalur Gemilang with pride.
The ex-farmer has been doing so every year since his youth.
On Aug 3, he bought a flag for RM6.50 and hung it outside his home.
“This is my country which I will always love,” he declared.
