BACK in 1991, Mr Abdul Rahman was still making do with a black-and-white television set in his two-room flat. He could not afford meals outside and had to wash his clothes by hand.

At the time, he was a store assistant drawing only $600 a month, and he wished things could be better.

Eighteen years on, they are better.

Now 60, the father of three lives in a four-room flat. As a taxi driver, he earns up to twice what he did back then. A colour television set graces a corner of his living room and his clothes tumble round in a washing machine.

Deeply grateful, he says: 'I saved up to take a driving course, applied for a job, and I got it - just like that. Then everything became better.'

These days, he is grateful for the steady income his job provides, and for being able to keep it during the recession.

As a mark of gratitude to the nation, the Comfort cabby has - for the fifth year running - decked his taxi out with close to 100 mini Singapore flags and flag decals.

His cab's four windows are plastered with 32 decals. Another 40 are stuck on the front and rear windshields - for which he even obtained approval from the Land Transport Authority.

Eight mini flags are flying on the roof and a huge decal sits on the bonnet. The passenger cabin features another dozen.

The decorations cost around $350, an expense he splits with a friend who shares the same sentiment.

'It is just my way of saying thank you,' he said.

Mr Abdul's patriotic tribute on wheels usually attracts the attention of tourists, who pose with it and want a ride in it.

'One tourist even called me a Singapore icon,' he quipped.