GEORGE TOWN: For weeks before Hari Raya Aidilfitri, residents of Kampung Melayu in Air Itam gathered to assemble 12 towering bintang raya (festive star decorations) – a labour of love and teamwork to turn the place into a festive wonderland.
Rising to about 5m by 3.7m, the illuminated stars – crafted from plywood and plastic – have lined the village for decades and, in recent years, have become a defining feature of the community, where tradition and community spirit shine brightly.
Air Itam assemblyman Joseph Ng said each year, without fail, residents would come together to put up the festive stars, made in varying sizes.
“Since 2018, we have our very own Kampung Melayu-based artisan making the bintang raya.
“Our Kampung Melayu Village Community Management Council (MPKK) develops the concept, including the design and colours, and executes it, as the bintang raya must be replaced each year.
“Some are placed within Kampung Melayu, while others are installed at roundabouts and outside the mosque.
“These festive stars are special because they are put together by residents, who work together to create the pieces.
“We have decorations for every occasion and, for Hari Raya, our Kampung Melayu artisan and the MPKK always work together to make these stars,” he said.
Ng said the residents aimed to build a large bintang raya every year, and that this would usually cost a few thousand ringgit, which the Bukit Gelugor MP, Ramkarpal Singh, and he funded.
Ng said supporting local artisans and creating activities that unite the community were key, as residents work together to make the constituency festive before celebrating as one.
Kampung Melayu MPKK secretary Yaakob Ramli said residents have been putting up bintang raya there for more than 30 years.
“But it is only in recent years that we have been putting up such huge stars, thanks to the funding we get,” he said, adding that it took a few weeks to complete all 12 stars.
“We can make two a night, but the wiring takes time as it needs to be fitted inside for the lights to work.
“We switch on the lights at 7pm every night, creating a festive atmosphere.”
Yaakob added that in the past, bintang raya were made using bamboo and cloth, but are now crafted from wood and plastic.
“While we would love to reuse them every year, they wear out over time, so new ones are made annually.”
