Thanks to Jalur Gemilang, restaurant takes on a life of its own

KUANTAN, Aug 18 -- Killing two birds with one stone. This best describes a restaurant owner’s action of having decorated his eatery with more than 500 Jalur Gemilang in various sizes. 

Wah Rahimi Wan Mokhtar, 58, said besides expressing his love for the country, the flags have also become the restaurant’s identity.

He has been sprucing up his eatery located in Peramu with the Jalur Gemilang since 20 years ago and because of that it is hard for anyone to miss his happening restaurant which has become an attraction over the years. 

“Each year, in ushering the National Day, I would add more Jalur Gemilang at my eatery and replace the worn-out ones. 

“My intention in installing as many Jalur Gemilang is to show the spirit of patriotism for the country and in doing so, my restaurant has been nicknamed ‘Kedai Mie Merdeka’ by customers and its popularity has taken on a life of its own,” said Wan Rahimi when met by Bernama, here, today.

Wan Rahimi could not put a price on the whole thing as the Jalur Gemilang kept being replaced every year. 

“If I were to do so, since I started doing this 20 years ago, I must have spent about RM40,000 on the whole props including the biggest flag which is about 10-metre long,” he said. 

 He also said that his passion for decorating his shop with the Jalur Gemilang also gave him the opportunity to be nominated in the Merdeka Joy Competition, representing the state of Pahang six times.

On the actions of some quarters who allegedly hoisted the Jalur Gemilang upside down, he said it was disrespectful to do so and would give a bad image to the country.

“That is such a contrast to what I do which is flying and promoting the Jalur Gemilang. 

“I urge those who fly the Jalur Gemilang upside down to stop doing so as it doesn’t bring any good to anyone,” he added.

-- BERNAMA