Planting national pride: Juriah putting up Jalur Gemilang outside her house at Taman Scientex, Pasir Gudang. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
JOHOR BARU: A woman’s high Merdeka spirit has inspired her neighbours to emulate her patriotic act of enthusiastically displaying the Jalur Gemilang.
Juriah Abdullah, 52, said she has been decorating her house with Merdeka-themed decor without fail every year for the past two decades.
“I started putting up the flags a few days ago. Since then, I noticed that my neighbours have also started doing the same thing.
“Some of them told me that they had never put up the Malaysia flag outside their house their whole life and that this was their first time doing so.
“They said they were inspired to do so after seeing my enthusiasm in displaying my Merdeka spirit,” she said when interviewed at her house in Taman Scientex here in Pasir Gudang yesterday.
The mother of four said it was not the first time she managed to indirectly encourage her neighbours to put up the national flag.
“I just moved here about five months ago, and this is the first time I welcome the Merdeka month in this house.
“When I was staying in my previous house, the same thing happened. My neighbours at that time also started putting up the flags after seeing me doing so.
“I am glad that I get to do my part in instilling the Merdeka spirit among those around me.
“For me, this is a simple gesture we can all do as Malaysians to show our love for the country. Besides, Merdeka Day only comes once a year,” she said.
On her Merdeka-themed decoration, the housewife, who has won dozens of decor competitions, said she has put up about 500 Malaysia and Johor flags around her house.
“I love taking part in such competitions as I enjoy decorating my house, be it for Merdeka, Hari Raya, or any other special occasions.
“This year, the Pasir Gudang City Council is not organising competitions as they have other programmes in conjunction with the Merdeka month.
“However, I have decided to go all out in decorating my house,” she said, adding that she spent more than RM1,000 to buy the items needed to decorate her house for Merdeka Day this year.
Besides buying flags, Juriah also forked out some money to print posters and banners.
“The price of these items, including the flags, have gone up significantly.
“For example, a small Malaysia flag used to cost between RM2 and RM3 each. Now, it has gone up to between RM4 and RM5.
“However, it has not stopped me from continuing my tradition,” Juriah said, adding that she hopes to inspire more people.
