A SIMPLE nostalgia post on social media platform Threads has touched the hearts of thousands after a Malaysian user shared a poignant memory tied to the Jalur Gemilang painted along the asphalt runoff of the Petronas Sepang International Circuit (SIC).
When contacted by Sinar Daily, Nilai-based property agent and skateboarding coach Azrul Ady Mahadi, 37, recalled how a routine task alongside his late father more than 20 years ago became his most cherished memory.
Azrul said the idea for the massive flag came from his father, Mahadi Md Desa, better known as Pak Mady, who worked at the circuit between 2003 and 2009.
Over time, he said, the initial concept was expanded into the large-scale tribute recognised by motorsport fans today. The expansion was spearheaded by a colleague known as Abang Shah, who worked closely with Pak Mady, Azrul and a team of close friends.
Azrul was a 15-year-old Form Three student in 2004 when he helped his father map out and paint the first version of the flag on the cement runoff area along one of the track's prominent corners.
"At the time, I downloaded an image of the flag from Google and showed it to my father. We outlined the border lines first, meticulously following the shape of the flag one by one before painting it until completion," he said.
"We never imagined that something we worked on together would still be there more than 20 years later and that people would appreciate and talk about it today.
"For me, it is more than just a Malaysian flag. It is a piece of my childhood and one of the most precious memories I have with my late father," he said.
Pak Mady died on Dec 25, 2018, but his handiwork remains an enduring fixture at the world-renowned track.
"When I look back at F1 now, I am not thinking about the fast cars at all.
"I am reminded of my late father, the Malaysian flag we painted together almost 22 years ago and how that flag is still being maintained and and looked beautiful there," said Azrul.
With the track returning to the spotlight, Azrul hoped the artwork would be properly restored and maintained so that the dedication of his father, Abang Shah and their team would be preserved for future generations.
He also invited anyone who knew Pak Mady to share their memories and join in prayer for him.
"I wish he could see how many people are now noticing and appreciating what we created back then.
"I believe he would be very happy and proud to see that something he started has become part of SIC and continues to be remembered today," he said.
He ended the interview with a prayer: "Al-Fatihah for my late father. May Allah forgive his sins, have mercy on his soul and place him among those who have faith and do righteous deeds."
SIC, designed by circuit architect Hermann Tilke was officially opened in 1999. The 5.543km layout, with long straights and sweeping high-speed corners, was a fixture on the Formula One World Championship calendar for nearly two decades.
However, high hosting costs and shifting economic priorities led the government to step back from hosting the annual grand prix after the 2017 edition.
After a nine-year hiatus, Malaysia hosted the Formula 1 event after the original Bahrain race could not go ahead in April due to the Iran war and the situation in the Middle East.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has since said that Malaysia is in talks with Formula 1 over bringing the Malaysian Grand Prix back as a permanent fixture on the race calendar, amid calls from fans and commentators for its return following the weekend’s race at Sepang.
However, he said that efforts regarding the matter would take time, given Formula 1's crowded calendar and existing contractual commitments to other host countries.