Unlike other unpatriotic youngsters, 15-year-old Muhammad Amirul Rashid’s favourite month of the year is August because it is Malaysia’s Merdeka Month.  

This is because he celebrates the National Day by wearing a Jalur Gemilang-themed outfit and decorating his favorite bicycle with the flag, a personal celebration that he has been practicing since he was 8 years old. 

According to him, he feels so proud every time he wears the Jalur Gemilang outfit, which was sewn by his mother, Siti Hajar Mohd. Yusop, 52.

“My mother helps me a lot by sewing clothes and decorating my bike. At night, I would cycle around with this bike and play some Merdeka songs. 

"This is my way of showing my love for the country, I hope others can also do it too, in their own way," he said when interviewed by Utusan Malaysia’s reporters at Pantai Saujana, yesterday.

According to Muhammad Amirul, a total of 30 pieces of Jalur Gemilang were used to decorate his clothes and bicycle.

“I want to bring this bicycle to places with a lot of people on the eve of the Merdeka Day celebration. I used to do this before, and many came up to take photos with me and my bike. However, this year I will have to avoid taking close-up pictures to follow the SOPs related to social distancing. 

“People used to give me money which I found to be rather funny as I don’t do this to collect donations,” he added. 

Meanwhile his mother, Siti Hajar said that she is aware that her son loves wearing the Jalur Gemilang every year during the Independence Month since he has been doing it since he was 8 years old. 

“He is very fond of wearing Jalur Gemilang-themed clothes and decorating his bicycle every year, so I helped him pursue his interest by sewing the clothes for him, which takes around 2 days. 

According to her, he got the idea of wearing the Jalur Gemilang-themed clothes and decorating his bicycle on his own, without referring to anyone else. 

Kudos to you, Muhammad Amirul Rashid! You are a true Anak Malaysia! You inspire us to be patriotic, a feeling that seems to be fading, especially during this pandemic.