THE MEMOIRS OF MUSTAPHA HUSSAIN - Malaysia Today

370 Memoirs of Mustapha Hussain
hanuddin, Ahmad bin Abdul Rahman (later a strong UMNO member in
Melaka) and Abdul Hamid Abdul from Melaka who was active in MNP.
The one who came was Dr Burhanuddin. I did not waste time telling him
to instruct the Melayu Raya office in Singapore to stop involving itself
in the dangerous religious crisis. “We should do what Utusan Melayu 3 is
doing. Be cautious and not be seen to be involved. What happened in
Singapore is not a simple or small matter. Properties have been destroyed
and lives lost.” I pointed out several clear indications of Melayu Raya’s
involvement. “Should we carry on, the Federal Police may ban the sale
of our paper, at least in Malaya.” Dr Burhanuddin replied, “This is a test
of the Malay faith.” I realised we saw the issue very differently.
I asked him to stay in Kuala Lumpur a day or two to watch the CID
men sitting near the daily’s office. But what could I do to save a leftist
daily when a small, but vicious group was accusing me of being a police
agent? I withdrew when the Melayu Raya Head Office quietly sent a new
correspondent. I was upset that no one from Melayu Raya had broken
the news to me. Nevertheless, I left graciously after introducing the new
representative to Aziz Ishak. Finally, Melayu Raya closed shop – once
again, another end to Malay investment. Dr Burhanuddin, Melayu Raya’s
leader, was detained under the Emergency laws. Nathrah was taken
home to Holland and married off to someone of her own ‘race’. I don’t
know what happened to Mansor Adabi.
Notes
1. I don’t remember the year, but I have a letter from Major Woodrow Wyatt dated 2
September 1977, confirming our meeting at my stall, Tengah Restaurant.
2. See the front page headline of Utusan Melayu, March 1951, “UMNO Youth Alliance
Proposal Won. Merdeka replaced Hidup Melayu.”
3. Utusan Melayu was extremely cautious over the Nathrah issue.