The red, white, blue and yellow of the national flag not only represent her pride for our homeland but also the struggles and sacrifices of her late husband, Zahari Abdullah, who once fought the communist threat.
Speaking with Bernama, the 66-year-old recalled that for over a decade, her husband, who served 13 years in the Malaysian Armed Forces, would be among the busiest people in Kampung Kubang Bongor, Kelantan, during the national month.
He would tirelessly gather bamboo or wood to make flagpoles to fly the Jalur Gemilang.
“Every year, before Aug 31, my late husband would begin decorating our house, the padi fields, and the farm with the Jalur Gemilang. He even hung independence-themed banners until Sept 16 to create a festive atmosphere in the village.
“He never complained about spending about RM600 of his own money to buy over 500 flags of various sizes to decorate the fields and our home,” she said.
“Three years ago, he even built replica cannons and traditional wau bulan from recycled materials, decorated them with the Jalur Gemilang, and placed them near the padi fields and quail pens – all to reignite the spirit of independence.”
Sadly, her husband passed away last year after a fall at home, leaving behind cherished memories and an unbroken legacy of patriotism.
Determined not to let her husband’s spirit be buried with him, Tuan Yah, a former nurse, is continuing her late husband’s efforts.
With the help of her children and neighbours, the mother of four and grandmother of five has strung the Jalur Gemilang along the lane and around the yard of her house.
For her, doing this is both a way to honour her late husband’s memory and an expression of her enduring love for the nation.
“Villagers often ask me why I still put up so many Jalur Gemilang even though my husband is gone,” she shared.
“I tell them about his struggles and the sacrifices of his comrades in the armed forces, reminding them that the freedom we enjoy today was earned through the sweat, tears, and lives of members of the security forces who defended our nation’s sovereignty.”
For Tuan Yah, the Jalur Gemilang is more than just a flag: it is a reminder of her late husband’s devotion, a symbol of unity, and an inspiration for the villagers, who now come together to fly the symbol of the country’s independence.