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NSTP/FARIZUL HAFIZ AWANG
KUANTAN: A dentist here has come up with an unique way to demonstrate her patriotism to enliven this year’s National Day and Malaysia Day celebrations.
Dr T. Nanthini hired mural painters to draw the images of the Regent of Pahang, Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah Al-Sultan Abdullah, Pahang Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Wan Rosdy Wan Ismail and Health director-general Tan Sri Dr Noor Hisham Abdullah outside her clinic wall at Batu 3, Jalan Kuantan-Gambang here.
The 17-metre wall is also decorated with the five tenets of Rukun Negara along with the image of an elephant popularly known as the state’s animal with a map of all the 11 districts in Pahang.
Nanthini, 30, said initially it was her husband Dr N. Sathiaseelan, 33, who proposed the idea last month to paint patriotism-themed mural on her clinic wall which had been left bare since she started operating last year.
“Since it was the month of Merdeka and the painting would help promote patriotism, I immediately searched for the mural painters on Facebook. We spoke to a group of painters and I shared my ideas with them including the images which I wanted them to draw.
“We gave the painters the design, what should be included in the mural and allowed them the freedom to decide on the suitable colours. They started work on Aug 15 and completed it in about 10 days,” she said when met at the clinic today.
Nanthini said the move to include the five principles of Rukun Negara was to create awareness and foster the spirit of patriotism among the younger generation.
“This year marks the 50th anniversary of Rukun Negara, so we decided to include it as part of the mural. The five hands painted above the Rukun Negara has different colour tones (skin colour) to resemble unity.
“Since the mural is drawn in Pahang, we decided to include the elephant and paint the districts in Pahang so people would understand the concept better. A huge Jalur Gemilang is drawn in the background while the images of the three icons along with Rukun Negara are in the foreground,” she said, adding Tengku Hassanal and Wan Rosdy had arrived to take pictures with the giant mural painting on Aug 31.
Nanthini said the mural had been attracting a steady stream of visitors who dropped by to snap pictures while her clinic was also offering special discounts for patients who took a selfie with the colourful mural.
“It is good to see Malaysians from different races, the young and the old, stopping to take pictures. The painting indirectly gives me a special feeling of getting involved in the National and Malaysia Day celebrations,” she said, adding closed-circuit television were installed near the mural to prevent vandalism.
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