eCube TVET College Perak Students and Staff Successfully Create Giant Jalur Gemilang from 14,000 Recycled Cans

A team of students and instructors from eCube TVET College in Hutan Melintang, Perak, ignited the spirit of the 68th National Day by creating a giant-sized Jalur Gemilang. They used 14,000 used beverage cans as the primary material. The uniqueness of this project lies not only in its creativity but also in the powerful message of love for the country and responsibility toward the environment.

This giant flag reflects the idea that patriotic spirit can be integrated with sustainability awareness. It serves as a symbol that work done outside the classroom can also create a positive impact on society.

This initiative invites the public to see that waste items like beverage cans can also have value if given the right creative space.

Scale and Production Process

This Jalur Gemilang measures up to 8.5 meters in length and 3.6 meters in width, and its construction took nearly two months. Approximately 50 students and instructors were involved in every stage of this project, demonstrating an excellent level of commitment.

The process began with the collection of beverage cans—some obtained through donations from local recycling centers—followed by flattening, cleaning, and painting according to the official colors of the Jalur Gemilang. This work required precision so that each can could be arranged accurately to provide a realistic visual effect.

Although challenges such as weather and limited time arose, the dedication of the students and teachers allowed this project to be completed exactly on schedule. It is a truly inspiring example of hard work.

Can Sourcing and Preparation

The collection of 14,000 cans was done in stages over a month. Students got involved by visiting recycling centers and gaining support from the surrounding community, showing that this project was also embraced by the local community.

Once collected, the cans were manually cleaned to ensure no odors or dirt remained. This cleaning process became the starting point for close cooperation among the students, with each one doing their part systematically to ensure quality was maintained.

Then, the prepared cans were separated by red, white, blue, and yellow colors for painting. These colors of independence are not just beautiful to look at, but also very accurate in terms of the appearance of the Jalur Gemilang.

Project Mission and Objectives

This project aims to instill a patriotic spirit among students while increasing awareness about recycling practices. It also supports Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) No. 12: Responsible Consumption and Production.

Through active involvement in every process, students not only learn technical aspects but also soft skills such as time management, teamwork, and project management. This is a more holistic educational improvement than the classroom norm.

This project also conveys the message that love for the country can be manifested in various creative forms—creativity and sincerity are the main keys behind the work.

Exhibition Plan and Location

The original plan was to exhibit this giant Jalur Gemilang at the Leaning Tower of Teluk Intan, but due to a scheduling conflict, the exhibition location was moved to SMK Hutan Melintang.

Despite the change in location, the response remained enthusiastic. School students and the local community gathered to see the results of their work for themselves. It became an element of harmony and joy in conjunction with the independence month.

The college also plans to expand this exhibition to other locations. This step not only introduces creative art but also channels the message of sustainability and national spirit to the wider community.

Sustainability After the Project

The uniqueness of this project does not stop after the exhibition. All the cans used will be sold to a recycling company, and the proceeds will be donated to the United Nations (UN).

This proves that the project was thought through to the final stage, ensuring a positive impact continues after completion. It reflects a sustainable approach that benefits the global community.

Furthermore, the college plans to document the entire process in video and printed materials as a reference and inspiration for other institutions that might want to carry out similar initiatives.

Student Reactions and Values of Unity

For the students, this experience was full of meaning and sweet memories. Nuraina Hanis Zahari (19) described this project as a very fun experience that opened her mind to new possibilities outside the classroom.

Meanwhile, K. Nehha (21) described that true independence is unity in diversity, an important message that was reinforced throughout the implementation of this project.

Cooperation regardless of background and the sacrifice of break time by all individuals involved are proof that unity can produce something extraordinary.