THE MEMOIRS OF MUSTAPHA HUSSAIN - Malaysia Today

The Malay Nationalist Party 337
Semanggul, Selama, Parit Buntar, Bukit Mertajam and finally made our
way to our last stop – Balik Pulau on Penang Island.
API youths were ever ready to fight to the last, in uniforms proudly
sewn with API emblems on the sleeves. It was in Sungai Tinggi, Perak
that I heard Ahmad Boestamam gave a most fiery speech to his youths.
Had he ordered, “Set this house ablaze”, the youths would have done so
without question. Such was Boestamam’s oratorical power. No politician
can beat Boestamam in delivering speeches that set hearts afire. Ahmad
Boestamam was indeed a freedom fighter of the highest calibre, especially
with respect to his superb organisational skills.
In laid-back Selama, we were securely guarded by API youths who
ran breathlessly alongside our cars to ensure that we were out of the reach
of the colonialists and their henchmen. The fire of freedom raged in every
API youth’s bosom. Members bought their own uniforms, took leave from
work, stood in the scorching sun and were now running alongside our
cars to protect us. We could not offer them any reward but for the elusive
goal of Independence, which was a long shot. Can anyone today show
me the same fire in the hearts of politicians? I don’t think I will ever
witness another scene comparable to the one I am trying to share with
you now. Formidable solidarity, soaring spirits and unquestioning sacrifice
in the name of country and people; all these came out of our common
desire to release the motherland from colonial fetters.
That is perhaps why some leader had once proposed: “The most
opportune time to claim Independence is during a war or just after a war
has ended.” This show of courage in Selama was in 1946, a year after
the end of World War II – a most opportune moment indeed.
In Selama, Haji Tahir bin Haji Rauf, MNP’s chief for Selama was
seen proudly wearing a white Malay suit with a red samping (traditional
cloth wrapped around the waist, worn by males). This PWD employee
had sacrificed much time, money and energy for the MNP.
We were taken to the Selama Mosque 11 where Dr Burhanuddin
delivered a speech that brought emotions to a boil. Among the audience
were relatively more hajis than was usual at our rallies. It was here that
Dr Burhanuddin’s speech was most effective. While talking about an
Imam in an Egyptian mosque, Dr Burhanuddin asserted, “The fact is, the
Qur’an is politics!” Usually, I was the one who handed Dr Burhanuddin
small bits of paper containing points to be emphasised, but at this mosque,
it was unnecessary. Dr Burhanuddin was in his element.
I consider myself privileged to have listened to speeches made by
many outstanding politicians such as Dr Burhanuddin, Ahmad Boestamam,
Rashid Maidin, Baharuddin Tahir, Abdullah C.D. and others. I did