John (on ladder) putting up a Jalur Gemilang banner, assisted by other residents at Padang Assam off Jalan SS14 in Subang Jaya.
As AUGUST is the month Malaysians show off their patriotic spirit, SS14 Rukun Tetangga (RT) in Subang Jaya, Selangor, has taken the initiative to adorn the entrance to Padang Assam with the Jalur Gemilang.
SS14 RT chairman John Zachariah said committee members and residents came together to decorate the entrance to the residential public park along Jalan SS14 to strengthen unity among the people, regardless of race, religion or ethnicity.
“Our diverse community in this residential area volunteered to put up the flags.
“All showed a strong spirit of patriotism in unfurling and hoisting the flags,” he added.
The theme of this year’s National Day is “Malaysia Madani: Jiwa Merdeka”, symbolising the integration of Malaysians from various cultures and ethnicities.
SS14 RT committee member Azusaini Azis, who has been living in the area since 1999, said the people in the neighbourhood cared for one another.
“Our simple act of putting up the national flags brought everyone together,” he said.
Another resident, Datin Fatmah Illadad Khan, said it was the people’s responsibility to fly the Jalur Gemilang during National Month and remember the struggles of those who fought for independence.
John added that the SS14 RT wanted each household to embrace the spirit of National Day by displaying flags on their gates and in the compounds of their houses.
“To fan the spirit of Merdeka, our RT has launched a competition in our residential area where each household would decorate their homes with flags, big or small,” he said.
He added that each participant could submit a photo or video of the decorations to the neighbourhood’s WhatsApp group before Aug 29.
“They stand to win fruit hampers and the winners will be announced at the neighbourhood’s Merdeka event on Aug 31,” John said.
