TANAH MERAH, Aug 11 — An army retiree has not only been collecting discarded Jalur Gemilang from the streets, but he flies the national flag with pride too, from anywhere he can, to show his love for the country.

These include his van, motorcycle and house and he does this not just for the duration of the National Month, but for the entire year since 16 years ago.  

Muhammad Nasir Mustapha, 57, from Kampung Batu 11, here, said apart from the national flag, he had also been collecting the state flag that had been discarded or found lying anywhere.

The father of three said he recycled those flags with the idea of educating the public to respect the national and state flags.

"What I’ve been doing might seem meaningless to some people but for a person who knows the meaning of independence and the struggle to obtain it, this effort is a continuous fight for me,” he told Bernama.

Muhammad Nasir who has so far collected about 1,000 such flags for recycling, said he would sew up torn flags and wash the soiled ones before flying them.

"I have gone through various experiences these past 16 years collecting those flags. Some people even consider me a ‘mental’ case as I don’t profit from doing this while my house and vehicles are filled with flags.

"But I am happy with what I am doing as I love my motherland with a passion,” he said. — Bernama