THE MEMOIRS OF MUSTAPHA HUSSAIN - Malaysia Today

PUTERA-AMCJA Conference 345
clause (c) raised the conference room’s temperature. The same degree of
unrest was experienced each time the Malays demanded a 60-40 quota
in the running of the administration and in employment. Sir Cheng Lock
Tan vehemently opposed demand (c) while the three young men looked
calm enough. I stood up to voice my disappointment at the opposition,
drawing their attention to one question. How would hundreds of thousands
of Malays – supporters of MNP, API and AWAS in the kampungs – react,
should PUTERA announce that ‘Malayan’ and not ‘Melayu’ would be
the term used to describe the people’s nationality? They would probably
charge at us like bulls provoked by a red cape. Leftist Malay parties would
be ruined, much to the glee of the British and right-wing Malay parties.
Even though I 4 had presented my case with great care, Lim stood up
and remarked, “We are not dogs to be led by the people. We lead the
people.” In response to such strong words, I retorted in a flash, “Are you
not here at this conference table because the people chose you? Do not
humiliate the people. You ought to retract your words.”
I then saw Conference Secretary de Cruz write something on a large
piece of paper and hold it up for all to see. On the paper was written
“CRACK” in big, bold letters. Chairman Ishak wisely proposed the matter
be handled by a sub-committee later that evening and its decision be
announced the next day. The sub-committee met that night in Kampung
Baru over a Malay dinner of rice and tapioca shoot vegetable curry,
during which time a PUTERA representative managed to positively
influence members who had opposed the proposal to describe our nationality
as ‘Malay’.
We had asked, “What is wrong with using the term ‘Malay’ to
describe our nationality? If this request is denied, we can only deduce
that colonial elements have infiltrated this conference, and that colonialists
are still in control.” Gerald de Cruz loved Malay food. Perhaps the tapioca
shoot vegetable curry contributed to the agreement that ‘Malay’ will be
the agreed nationality of the people. I was glad that the matter had not
split up the conference. Actually, the Malay nationality proposal was won
due to the votes of the three Chinese youths. They were the first ones to
be convinced by our little speech and appeals. On the second day of the
PUTERA-AMCJA Conference, API leader Ahmad Boestamam, who
was honoured with the final vote, gave PUTERA the winning edge. With
that victory, I felt that the Malay states and the Malay race would be
forever preserved. In Hang Tuah’s words, “The Malays will not perish
from this earth.”
Next in the discussion was the question of citizenship. AMCJA had
proposed the jus soli concept, but PUTERA found it difficult to accept.