THE MEMOIRS OF MUSTAPHA HUSSAIN - Malaysia Today

6 Memoirs of Mustapha Hussain
2
Matang in the Folds of History
At the turn of the twentieth century, Matang was a bustling town, with
the winning advantage of being located exactly midway between Taiping,
the ‘town that tin built’, and the swampy fishing town of Port Weld (now
Kuala Sepetang). Port Weld was both a busy port and a smuggling haven
for many well-tanned Chinese. Matang also lay along Malaya’s first
railway track, constructed in 1885, which ran straight as a pole between
Taiping and Port Weld.
Today’s laid-back, slumberous town of Matang barely reflects its past
glory and legacy. Early Matang was energetic and lively because it was
there, and not in Taiping, that the major British government offices were
located. This included the District Police Station, the District and Land
Offices, and the first Malay Teachers’ College, established in 1913. The
college moved to Tanjung Malim in 1922 and renamed the Sultan Idris
Training College (SITC). 1
Apart from that, many thought-provoking and historic events happened
in Matang. My memoir would be incomplete without an account
of Matang in the fold of the nation’s history and its impact on me.
Matang came into historical prominence after the 1875 assassination
of Malaya’s first British Resident, J.W.W. Birch in Pasir Salak, Perak.
Consequently, five patriots, including Datuk Sri Maharajalela and Datuk
Sagor were brought to Matang in 1877 to be hanged by the colonial
masters, only 33 years before I was born. The cold-blooded execution of
these Malays allegedly involved in the conspiracy was conducted near
two mango trees only three hundred yards down the street from our family
home on Jalan Menteri.
Not surprisingly, many of my brothers and I became nationalist
stalwarts who completely revered undiluted Malay patriotism and
courage. Our hometown environment, with its deep historical significance,
representing Malay valour and gutsy defiance, moulded us to be what
we are.