Malaysia’s 65th National Day is just around the corner, however, most Malaysians do not seem to be in the mood to celebrate.
While it is frustrating that our country seems to be lacking in many aspects, these individuals have chosen to look beyond the flaws (at least temporarily) to get into the spirit of Merdeka this month.
Here are some of the most creative Merdeka-inspired decorations we have found!
1. Upcycling coconut husks to construct the Jalur Gemilang
Do you remember having to do Merdeka-inspired drawings and handicrafts in school whenever August rolled around?
SK Kota Rentang in Alor Setar, Kedah, took the Merdeka spirit to the next level when they came up with this incredible display adorning their front gate.
They used scrap materials such as coconut husks to form the Jalur Gemilang and various old plastic items to complete the other ornaments.
2. KLCC replica made out of old tyres
Next is this 2-metre tall KLCC replica built by two army veterans in Alor Gajah, Melaka using 30 old tyres.
According to Yusof Abdul Talib, 50, the monument in his house yard was his and his partner’s entry for the Kampung Lendu Jalur Gemilang Waving Competition.
He is determined to retain his victory after being crowned champion last year with a monument of an old bicycle and a canon.
Before building the replica, Yusof also hung up thousands of Jalur Gemilang flags across his front yard.
3. Glowing KLCC replica made out of plastic bottles
Next up, we have yet another KLCC replica, but what is special about this one is that it is made of plastic bottles that lights up!
Tasked with decorating their residential area, the residents of Taman Kamunting Mutiara Phase 3 in Taiping used 1200 pieces of flags and 400 old plastic bottles to liven up their housing area.
Looking at the photos, the twin towers looked like those “trust the process” projects, and we are glad the residents did because the towers look so good glowing in the dark!
4. 35-metre Jalur Gemilang made of screwpine leaves
In Tanah Merah, Kelantan, the residents of Kampung Bukit Kechik have devised a unique way to celebrate the Merdeka month.
According to BERNAMA, residents of the village have been working hard together to weave screwpine leaves (daun mengkuang) into a massive 35-metre-long Jalur Gemilang flag.
It was a labourious multistep process that involved stripping the leaves of their thorns, splitting them into long strands, soaking and drying them in the sun, and boiling and dying them.
The process took almost a month to complete and cost about RM1,000.
5. Merdeka bamboo arch
Meanwhile, in Lorong 2C of Taman Semarak, Tawau, residents are not letting economic constraints stop them from getting into the Merdeka spirit.
According to BERNAMA, about 2,000 residents of Taman Semarak agreed to raise more than RM3,000 to buy flags and cover expenses for building a Merdeka bamboo arch.
“Constructing the bamboo arch together like this help boosts patriotism among the community, especially the youth,” said one resident.
“They start to realise the significance of National Day and celebrating our freedom as an independent country.”
6. A Merdeka wonderland
Lastly, we have over RM60,000 worth of Merdeka decorations in this traditional Malay house in Kampung Pengkalan Batu, Melaka.
According to Rahimah Tompang, she started dabbling in Merdeka-themed decorations in 2001 and spends about RM5,000 every August redecorating her house.
These days, her home is open to the public as a tourist destination called “Rumah Pelancong Pengkalan Batu Melaka”.
Some of the ornaments that visitors should check out include the giant Bunga Raya replica, Merdeka mushroom shells and the KLCC replica.
Seeing the dedication and thought put into these handmade decorative items is already getting us into the spirit of independence.
Perhaps it is time for the rest of us also to do something to celebrate Merdeka before the month ends?
Also read: Netizens Share Why They’re Not Feeling Semangat Enough To Put Up M’sian Flags This Year
