Students at Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan (SMK) Section 3 in Bandar Kinrara, Puchong, Selangor got creative by decorating umbrellas with national symbols and icons to spark the spirit of patriotism in conjunction with the 2023 National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations.

Fifty-six students got together and painted well-known Malaysian symbols such as the Jalur Gemilang, hibiscus flower, as well as iconic animals like the Malayan tiger and hornbill on 28 umbrellas.

SMK Seksyen 3 Bandar Kinrara teacher, Asyikin Rahim said the diligent group of students took only about two hours to complete the project on Sept 6.

"This is the students' own creative initiative, teachers only provided painting material and umbrellas. They did everything on their own, to feel the patriotism within themselves," she told Bernama.

"It truly strengthens unity because students of all races took part. When they drew and painted together, it increased their unity and love for the country," she added.

Asyikin said the school was also planning to hold a patriotic singing competition this week in conjunction with Malaysia Day, involving its uniformed bodies.

Meanwhile, private sector employee Munirah Nordin, 30, also spent hours painting and decorating umbrellas with Malaysian landmarks and iconic animals in conjunction with this year’s National Day and Malaysia Day celebration.

"I drew pictures of landmarks such as KLCC and hibiscus on paper. Then I attached it to the umbrellas. It is 100 percent hand-painted, tiring but very satisfying," said Munirah who shares the decorated umbrellas themed 'Malaysia Mempesona' on her social media platform.

This year’s Malaysia Day celebration, themed the same as National Day, “Malaysia MADANI: Tekad Perpaduan Penuhi Harapan” (Determination in Unity, Fulfilling Hope) will be held at the Unity Stadium in Petrajaya near Kuching.

Malaysia Day is observed to commemorate the formation of the Federation of Malaysia that comprised Malaya, Sabah and Sarawak on Sept 16, 1963.

Source: BERNAMA News Agency