Kuala lumpur: Every year ahead of National Month, Reedhwah Reef'ah Abdul Rashid's handmade Jalur Gemilang ribbons become a familiar sight at celebrations, schools, and government events - a small craft carrying a big message of patriotism.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, the 37-year-old owner of Ridh Leo Craft in Kampung Paya Senang said her passion for handicrafts since 2014 inspired her to create various handmade products before introducing National Day-themed ribbons about three years ago. She noticed that patriotic-themed accessories available in the market at the time were limited and lacked a distinctive identity.

Reedhwah Reef'ah, a Diploma in Information Technology (Programming) graduate from Politeknik Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin, Perlis, uses her graphic skills to design 18 ribbons featuring hibiscus motifs and Jalur Gemilang elements. Each design begins with her own sketches created using a computer before being printed through a sublimation technique on special paper. The patterns are then transferred onto felt material using a heat press process before being cut into the desired shapes.

Each ribbon is assembled manually with pins and Jalur Gemilang decorations. While machines help speed up the process, the handmade touch remains important as it determines the neatness and quality of each product. Reedhwah Reef'ah believes handmade products have a value and personal touch that cannot be replaced by mass production. Although it takes longer, she is more satisfied with the final result.

Initially completing all work manually using scissors, Reedhwah gradually purchased machines and learned how to operate them through YouTube to improve the quality of her products. Her efforts have paid off, with demand increasing every National Month as orders from schools, government departments, private companies, and individuals reach thousands of units, requiring about 10 part-time workers to assist in completing them.

Handling peak-season orders presents challenges, and she and her husband, Ahmad Izzat Abdul Halim, who is also a co-owner of the business, often work late into the night to ensure every order is completed on time. Seeing people wearing ribbons made by their hands during National Day celebrations gives her a satisfaction that is difficult to describe, leaving her feeling proud and grateful that their craft has become part of the celebrations.

Reedhwah Reef'ah emphasizes that the Jalur Gemilang is not merely a flag, but a symbol of unity, sacrifice, and gratitude for the peace enjoyed by Malaysians. She hopes that through her craft, she can contribute in a small way to nurturing the spirit of love for Malaysia.