Patriotism flies high all year at Nor Ashikin's Jalur Gemilang-adorned home

Upon entering the compound of her home, visitors are immediately captivated by the Jalur Gemilang and vibrant patriotic decorations adorning every corner, making it seem as though National Month is celebrated there year-round. For local food vendor Nor Ashikin Shafiee, 42, adorning her residence in Kampung Baru Tok Dor with patriotic-themed ornaments is an integral part of her life.

Having moved into her own home over two decades ago after getting married, she has transformed her residence into a permanent showcase of the Jalur Gemilang and colorful decorations.

Her passion for decorating extends beyond mere aesthetics, serving as a personal means to instill patriotism in her daily existence. Most of these decorations remain up throughout the year, only replaced when they become worn out. However, as National Month approaches, Nor Ashikin replaces them with fresh items to further invigorate the spirit of independence.

For this year's celebration, she invested more than RM1,000, including the replacement of over 80 meters of fabric and curtains, dozens of umbrellas, flags, and various other accessories to enhance the house's appearance.

Born with a penchant for maintaining a clean and cheerful living space, Nor Ashikin inherited this value from her father, who taught her and her sister the importance of keeping their surroundings tidy and pleasant from a young age. The mother of two also personally creates some of the decorations, including curtains, to match the chosen color theme for each year.

She begins preparations for this year's National Month decorations early, opting for dominant colors of red, white, blue, and yellow to create a patriotic atmosphere.

While her earnings from her food business can be inconsistent, Nor Ashikin consistently sets aside a portion of her income to purchase new decorations or replace worn-out ones. Her husband and children fully support her passion, viewing the money spent on decorating the home as a worthwhile investment. Every day, she dedicates approximately an hour to tidying the house and ensuring the decorations inside and outside are immaculate before heading out to run her business.

Nor Ashikin is delighted that her home frequently attracts people who want to capture its beauty, especially during festive seasons and now, especially during National Month. For her, the patriotic decorations adorning her home are more than just decorative; they serve as daily reminders to nurture her love for the country and the spirit of patriotism.