Elderly couple turn discarded bottles into National Month decor

An elderly couple in Kampung Baru Tok Dor transformed discarded plastic water bottles from an oil palm plantation into vibrant decorations for Malaysia's National Month celebrations. Halimah Said, 65, and her 78-year-old husband, Mat Ail Mamat, began crafting the colorful flower arrangements on August 1 as part of a local house decoration competition.

This marks their second consecutive year participating in the event, with last year's second-place finish motivating them to innovate this year by utilizing recycled materials.

Halimah collected the discarded bottles from the nearby plantation, cleaning and shaping them into flower petals. She and her husband created at least five distinct flower types, painting them in red, yellow, white, and blue hues. The finished flowers adorned the house's fence and were suspended from wooden poles beneath the national flag, Jalur Gemilang. Additionally, the couple planned to decorate a trishaw in front of their home and construct a replica of the iconic Kuala Lumpur Twin Towers (KLCC).

The family's patriotic endeavor also included displaying flags from various Malaysian states, reflecting diversity and unity. Halimah noted that the project provided her with a meaningful activity while caring for her 41-year-old daughter, Rosnani, who suffers from a disability and is bedridden. Their children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews contributed by printing color photographs of past Malaysian prime ministers, complete with relevant information, for the patriotic-themed decorations.

Halimah's 23-year-old nephew, Muhammad Aiman Mat Jusoh, helped daily with the decoration preparations. The use of discarded materials allowed the family to creatively express themselves without incurring significant expenses. Halimah emphasized that the activity not only brightened their village but also strengthened family bonds through shared creative efforts.