“Those who are inside and outside this hall, please make donations to help Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Alhaj to go to London for the sake of the people and nation”.

That were the words of Siti Rahmah Kassim (now Datuk), the Kaum Ibu chief for Rembau at the Umno conference held at Dewan Hang Tuah in Bandar Hilir, Melaka sometime in 1957.

That was one particular moment which the 84-year-old women's movement leader could not forget for the rest of her life. Siti Rahmah is among the 'unsung heroes' in the struggle for Malaya's independence.

The strong-willed lady had donated her gold bangle in order to fund Tunku Abdul Rahman's trip to London in the mission to obtain the country's independence from their British colonial masters.

Many did not know that at the time when Tunku Abdul Rahman was sourcing for funds in order to make the visit to London, Siti Rahmah was the first person to donate her gold bangle which was a gift from her father, in order to help the Kedah prince to gain independence for his beloved nation.

Red Shawl

Siti Rahmah handed over her gold bangle to Tunku by placing the valuable in a red shawl. The move was later followed by the other Kaum ibu members who also handed their valuables and jewellery.

(This rather poignant but patriotic moment was depicted in a local film 1957: Hati Malaya produced in 2007).

According to Siti Rahmah, her action was spurred by the love for the country, people and religion.

Bangle of Independence

“Tunku went to London with the Malay rulers. Tunku had spoken in the Kedah dialect and with tears rolling down his cheeks," said Siti Rahmah.

According to Siti Rahmah, Tunku had told those who were present: "I want to go to London. Umno does not have the funds, I too do not have the money, (if) I sell the palace, my father (the Sultan) would be furious. He (Sultan) wants me to be the ruler but I declined, I want to be the Umno president and make Malaya independent".

Siti Rahmah said she remembered the moment when Tunku mentioned that he had no money tears were rolling down his cheeks.

"Other people cried with tears welling in their eyes but Tunku cried with tears rolling down his cheeks.

Siti Rahmah who was seated in the front row immediately stood up upon hearing Tunku's words and she said: "I am willing to meet your call,”.

She told Bernama this when contacted recently.

Siti Rahmah is still active in Umno and several non-governmental organisations such as the Islamic Welfare Organisation of Malaysia (Perkim). To this 'gutsy lady', the year 1957 when the nation achieved independence was 'just like only yesterday'.

Siti Rahmah recalled after she pledged her gold bangle, she asked two other Kaum Ibu members to hold and spread out the red shawl where she placed the bangle and Tunku came down from the stage to collect the jewellery.

After that she walked around the hall asking for donations from those present.

"The men gave away their valuables including rings, gold wristwatches and the gold handle of their walking sticks. The women gave away their brooches, dress pins and other valuables.

"I really salute the women of that time. They did not pay much attention on their valuables. They were willing to hand over their gold chains, earrings, rings and there was one lady who was even willing to hand over the pins of her dress and had to hold the dress' seams together until the function was over,” said Siti Rahmah as she continued with her recollection.

She said several newspapers highlighted this patriotic moments with the front page headlined: "Merdeka Bangle" and "Woman willing to make sacrifices even without her dress pins for the people and country,” she said.

According to Siti Rahmah, the value of the bangle that she donated to Tunku is around RM2,000 now.

Young Hero

Siti Rahmah who hails from Batu Hampar, Negeri Sembilan said she still feels like a 24-year-old hero whenever she went down memory lane to recollect this patriotic occasion.

She had lived through the era of British colonisation, during the Japanese invasion and occupation (Second World War), communists' uprising (the Emergency) and also the years before and after the nation gained independence.

Siti Rahmah had her early education at Sungai Star Malay Girls School, Parit Buntar, Perak and passed standard 7 before continuing her education at the Madrasah Al-Huda religious school right until the level of 4 Thanawi.

She ventured into politics in 1946 with the setting up of Umno and held the post of the Rembau Kaum Ibu head for 17 years.

In the general election of 1959, Siti Rahmah stood for the Tementang constituency in Rembau on the Alliance ticket and became the elected representative for the constituency for two consecutive terms from 1959 until 1969.

She is currently the Umno head for Tementang, Rembau and had never missed attending the Umno General assembly since it was first held in 1946. She has five children and six grandchildren.

Siti Rahmah's husband Mohd Majzud Yunus died of old age in 1983.

Unsung Heroes

Siti Rahmah who will be celebrating her 84th birthday on Sept 6 said the struggle for Malaya's independence, even though without any bloodshed was not as easy and smooth as many had thought.

“The younger generation should be inculcated with the determination and vigour since they were young. They should be exposed to the Malay history right down to the grassroots. They should understand the struggle for religion, people and nation.

“Everybody has the fighting spirit, only whether it is genuine or not," she added.

Meanwhile the Department of Museums is staging the month-long exhibition on 'Unsung Heroes'. The event is on since last Aug 17.

The exhibition is about those who contributed towards the country's independence in 1957 and also in the years until the formation of Malaysia in 1963.

Museums Director-General Datuk Ibrahim Ismail said the exhibition showcases contributions towards the nation's independence by 70 people from various ethnic groups including those in Sabah and Sarawak.

On another development the 'Bicara Tokoh' (recollection of feats by Malaysian personalities) featuring Siti Rahmah, Datuk Yuen Yuat Leng and Rasammah Bhupalan will be held on Aug 27.

The trio made significant contributions in the nation's march towards independence (from 1952) until the formation of Malaysia in 1963.

Information Communication and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Dr Rais Yatim is expected to officiate the event's opening.

- Bernama