Kampung baru tok dor: From piles of used plastic water bottles collected around an oil palm plantation, an elderly couple in Kampung Baru Tok Dor have transformed the discarded items into unique flower designs as decorations for the National Month celebration.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, the couple's creativity has brightened up the village surroundings and become a symbol of patriotism, demonstrating that discarded items can be repurposed to create something valuable. Halimah Said, 65, and her husband, Mat Ail Mamat, 78, began crafting the decorations on August 1 to participate in a house decoration competition for the National Month celebration at the village level.
"This is the second year we have participated in the house decoration competition. Last year, we came in second, and this time we wanted to use recycled materials for a different concept," Halimah explained. She collected used water bottles from a nearby oil palm plantation, cleaned, cut, and shaped them into flower petals. Five types of flower models were crafted from the bottles, painted, and arranged as house decorations.
Halimah spent approximately RM100 on spray paint in red, yellow, white, and blue, while most materials were sourced from discarded items. The flowers were placed in pots along the fence, and bottles painted red and white were hung on wooden poles, with the Jalur Gemilang displayed above them.
She mentioned plans to decorate a trishaw at the front of the house and build a replica of the Kuala Lumpur Twin Towers (KLCC) as part of this year's decorations. Flags from several states were displayed to symbolize diversity and love for the country.
Halimah noted that the activity fosters patriotic spirit and serves as a source of enjoyment in her daily routine of caring for her disabled daughter, Rosnani Mat Ail, 41. Her family, including children, grandchildren, nieces, and nephews, contributed by printing photographs of former Malaysian Prime Ministers for the decorations.
"My nephew, Muhammad Aiman Mat Jusoh, 23, helps us almost every day," she added. "This allows us to engage in meaningful activities and strengthen family ties."
The use of discarded materials provided the family an opportunity to express creativity without significant expenses.