Zam: Utusan ‘never’ unjust towards anyone

KUALA LUMPUR: In the 40 years that he was with Utusan Malaysia, said a former Editor-in-Chief who went on to become Information Minister, he has seen all sorts of characters come and go at the newspaper. “However, through all its problems especially financial, Utusan remained true to itself.”

“What was more important to those who took power was to use it as a platform for their political struggle.”

As the voice of the people, added Zainuddin Maidin , Utusan had never been unjust towards anyone but as a platform for political struggle, it has been used by certain quarters. “Those in politics, given to greed, have from time to time been unjust to it.”

“They simply wanted to ride on its strength and image, built up over the years by its sponsors and editors.”

It was clear that many among these put on the pretence that they loved Utusan, but lacking insight on the flesh and bones of its struggle, merely wanted to use it as a platform for their politics and themselves, including to make hay while the sun shone. “William Roff, who wrote the ‘Origin of Malay Nationalism’ described Utusan as the voice of the political struggle.”

“Everyone wanted to use the newspaper as their platform for political struggle, awed by its larger than life image and strong influence. Utusan became a role model for political reporters.”

On a personal note, Zainuddin recalled that he never thought that he would go one day from being a stringer for the newspaper in Alor Star to Editor-in- Chief. “When I left my kampung to work with Utusan, my parents were too poor and couldn’t afford to give me even a sen. When I left Alor Star in the 50s, I had only RM25 with me, the money I saved working as a stringer in the Kedah capital for Utusan.”

“My story parallels that of Ku Seman Ku Hussain, the Editor of Mingguan Malaysia, a paper he just quit, after having fallen prey to political animalism. He summed up my years with Utusan in his farewell column.”

When he was relieved in 1992 from his position in Utusan, he left the newspaper with a message in rhyme. Briefly, he told his friends from 1939 right up to the present day that never lost the fire in his belly.

The essence of Utusan, its soul, was captured by national laureate Usman Awang in conjunction with its 50th anniversary, said Zainuddin. “He touched on the newspaper being identified with nation, religion and country.”

Zainuddin urged those interested in the history of Utusan’s first 70 years to get, “Di Depan Api, Di Belakang Duri” (Fire in Front, Thorns Behind), a no holds barred book written by him. “It may not be easy to get hold of this title, or other books by me, at most bookshops.”

“Drop by the following address to get copies: Zam News Room Cafe at Ayer@8 No D-G-3 A, Jalan PG8 Putrajaya Presint 8.”

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