SEREMBAN: While his friends are busy playing, 12-year-old Amirul Haiqal Zulkarnain prefers to spend time helping his father decorating their house to celebrate the upcoming National Day.
Located at Taman Pelangi, Sikamat here, the house, decorated with colours of the Jalur Gemilang, has become the centre of attention for the past few years, especially during Merdeka Day celebration on August 31.
Draped in Malaysian flags of various sizes, the single-storey terrace house is also decorated with variety of decorations material, reflecting the patriotism spirit of its occupants.
Amirul Haiqal, a Standard Six pupil from SK Sikamat said his interest in decorating the house for the National Day celebration started when he was helping his father to prepare their home for Merdeka Day a few years ago.
“My father was the first person to come out with the idea and he had been very excited it since day one. At first, I only helped him to hang the flag and did some other small works.
“After seeing the house beautifully decorated with national flags, I became more excited and began to chip in my own ideas to decorate our house for the National Day celebration. Some of the items were purchased using my own money,” he said.
Interestingly, he also made special accessories for his two cats.
“I made a small ‘tanjak’ for my cats, featuring Malaysian flag patterns. The tanjak will be worn during the National Day celebration,” he said.
“Many friends have visited my house to see for themselves the National Day decorations. Teachers at school are also interested and they often ask about our house’s preparation this year,” he said.
Apart from the flags, the house owned by Zulkarnain Kasmuri, 55, and wife Zanariah Yusof, 50, was also decorated with an antique bicycle filled with flags, pictures of national leaders as well as recycled items used to decorate the house.
The couple will take part in the most beautiful home decoration competition in conjunction with the National Day celebration organised by the residents of Taman Pelangi.
“Our house won the competition last year. This year, we are excited to take part in the competition again, to show our spirit in celebrating country’s 61st National Day,” he said.