Ever since I can remember, my father always flew the flag on Merdeka day. After all, he was the one who read the Independence Day speech on behalf of the Sultan of Kedah at the Ibrahim Secondary School in Sungai Petani.

He had very many reasons to fly the flag. He sat on the Malay Language Committee to test new citizens on their knowledge of Malay; with what little he knew being a migrant himself. He was an elected councillor for the Sungai Petani district. He was a businessperson and a founding member of the Kedah MIC; the King awarded him a PJN for his social and community activities.

He therefore always flew the flag and would chastise us if we did not fly one, even up today. He is 87 years of age, by the Grace of God.