KUANTAN: The state-level National Day parade here tomorrow will be special for food stall operator Wan Rahimi Wan Mokhtar as his antique Mini Cooper has been picked to lead the procession.
Wan Rahimi, or fondly known as “Mie Merdeka”, will be behind the wheel of his 1970 model metallic red vintage car which has been heavily decorated with various sizes of the Jalur Gemilang and stickers bearing the images of all Malaysian Prime Ministers on its front bonnet.
The 57-year-old said he purchased the car in 1996, and had spent thousands of ringgit to decorate the car for National Day very year.
“Initially, I only wanted to use it for my family but later I started decorating the car with Jalur Gemilang flags just for fun before it became a routine every year. Previously, when I drove the car around town, I received curious stares from other motorists.
“However, these days it is nothing unusual as people know about my passion and this is my way to display my patriotism.
“I do the stickers by myself. I will pick the suitable images before cutting and stick them on the car,” he said when met while putting the final touches to the car at his house in Peramu here today.
Wan Rahimi said his car has undergone some major modification whereby it no longer has side windows except for the windscreen and the rear window.
“The doors have been customised so I can’t fix side windows. I purchased the PVC seats which are similar to the colours of the Jalur Gemilang. I have removed the rear passenger seat and replaced it with a huge Jalur Gemilang.
“These days, not many people decorate their cars with so many flags. People even accused me of being insane as I’ve been spending so much money on the car and I cannot even ferry many people in the car,” he said, adding that he had spent about RM2,500 to repaint and refurbish the car.
Wan Rahimi said leading the parade is certainly a huge recognition for him as previously his Suzuki van painted with Jalur Gemilang colours had participated in the parade several years ago.
“I was surprised when I found out that I have been chosen to lead the parade this year and upon being notified, I started making the necessary arrangements to decorate the car,” he said.
He said whenever he drove the car around town, people would take a photograph of his car and some would ask him to post alongside the vehicle.
Besides his car, Wan Rahimi's food outlet also stands out from other eateries in the vicinity as the Jalur Gemilang flags are displayed at every corner of the stall along with Merdeka-themed paintings, walls adorned with portraits of Malaysia’s prime ministers, a Jalur Gemilang replica made of recycled plastic bottles, and an arch painted with the word “Merdeka”.
