THE MEMOIRS OF MUSTAPHA HUSSAIN - Malaysia Today

178 Memoirs of Mustapha Hussain
colonisers. These excited youths were then loaded on trucks to be taken
to the warfront; the war had already reached Kampar. They were let off
in pairs to move south from Kampar. As they clambered onto the trucks,
each one with spirits soaring high, I whispered several messages to them.
One, they must try to reach their destination in Kuala Lumpur by all
means. Two, if the secret weapons they carried were endangering their
lives, they had to make quick decisions. If the danger was large, throw
the weapons away. My last advice: “Should you meet problems, save
your own lives first!”
Thus, from Ipoh, KMM and other youth moved as saviours of the
people, and not as traitors. Although the KMM had fought on the side of
Japan, it was under duress. KMM was still anti-colonial, British or
Japanese. It was because of this action under duress that KMM has been
described by some Malays as pro-Japanese. Unfortunately, it cannot be
denied that there were pro-Japanese KMM members. This was true of
individuals, and not of the party as a whole.
Mohd Mustafa 15 was just an ordinary Ipoh boy, not a member of any
association, who was looking for employment at the outbreak of war when
he was recruited into the Japanese fifth column. Nevertheless, he played
an important role in Malayan history. He fought to liberate his homeland
from British masters, who at that moment were struggling to stay alive
after the unexpected Japanese assault. Can we label Mohd Mustafa a
collaborator for moving with Japanese troops (specifically the F Kikan)
from Ipoh to Singapore? After the fall of Singapore, he returned to his
hometown. It is up to you, dear reader, to interpret his role, the role of
the Malay fifth columns, and that of KMM. It should be remembered that
all of this happened when anti-British sentiments were ablaze in the hearts
of Malays. Britain, a Western power, was still gripping Malaya by the throat.
Twenty years after the end of World War II, I came across Mohd
Mustafa working for Malayan Railways and as a part-time insurance
agent. He was the same gregarious and cheerful person, but apprehensive
about his future. He felt as if someone had manipulated him. Our F
Kikan days involved fighting for Malaya’s Independence. In his nostalgic
words, “At that time, Enchik Mustapha, I felt as if Malaya was already
in the hands of the Malays.” Only those who had experienced the bitter
indignity and subjugation suffered as a colonised race can understand the
depth of that statement.
Notes
1. He was a Captain in the Mobile Field Ambulance Unit of the Federated Malay
States Volunteer Force (FMSVF). After the fall of Singapore, I was able to save him