National Month: Seremban Family Turns Home Into Flag Showcase

SEREMBAN, Aug 20 (Bernama) -- With only RM200, a resident enthusiastically decorated his house with more than 150 flags in pursuit of the title 'Rumah Terpaling Merdeka' in conjunction with the national month celebration organised by the Taman Pinggiran Senawang Neighbourhood Watch (KRT) here.  

Jasmin Abu Hassan, 53, said he was assisted by his wife, Rosmaini Mohd Yusof, 47, a kindergarten teacher, and it took them two weeks to complete the flag decorations.  

The supervisor at Syarikat Air Negeri Sembilan Sdn Bhd (SAINS) said that last year he only hung flags, but this time he added a special touch by including extra decorations such as the Negeri Sembilan flag and portraits of national leaders at the front of his house.  

“This year is livelier because there are winners every week. If before it was just about hanging flags, this time the decorations are more creative, and the children are excited to help.  

“In addition to the flags, I also displayed portraits of all the Prime Ministers, from the first until now, to complete this year’s Independence decorations,” said Jasmin, who was last year’s overall runner-up.  

The father of six, who has lived in the neighbourhood for 25 years, said about 40 per cent of the decorations are yet to be completed ahead of the competition’s deadline at the end of this month.  

Meanwhile, Taman Pinggiran Senawang KRT chairman, Fadzil Sharil, 59, said the competition, now in its second year, has received growing response, with more than 80 per cent of residents showcasing greater creativity in decorating their homes.  

“So far, we already have four weekly winners. Although the prizes are not big — just medals, hampers and daily necessities — their spirit is extraordinary. In fact, every week new elements are added, making the neighbourhood livelier,” he told reporters.  

Fadzil said that 20 of the best-decorated houses will advance to the finals on Sept 6, with four categories contested: cheerfulness, arrangement, creativity and neatness.  

In addition, he said the neighbourhood’s KRT has also agreed to build a national landmark replica — the KLCC towers — as part of the National Month decorations, using 500 recycled bottles, PVC pipes and several other materials.

-- BERNAMA