The Writing about Shaharom Husain in the Berita Harian Newspaper (1959-1991)

The Writing about Shaharom Husain in the Berita Harian Newspaper (1959-1991)

According to Djamal Tukimin, part-time writers are incomplete to talk about the history of modern Malay drama without talking Shaharom Husain's works.^[1] Shaharom Husain is a writer of novels, dramas and biographies who was born on 4 November 1919 in Batu Pahat, Johor and in Singapore and Malaysia is well known for his historical novels and dramas.^[2] He is also the most famous historian figure in Johor and Tokoh Guru Negara in 1984 (the highest award for educators / teachers), had planned to make his house as a museum because he did not want history just become history.^[3]

Berita Harian on 14 January 1959 stated Shaharom Husain, a lecturer in Bahasa Melayu at the Muar TTC Teaching College will switch to the Johor Bahru TTC College from 15 January 1959 as a lecturer.^[4] Berita Harian on 27 April 1960 and 13 November 1960 promote the work of Tun Fatimah written by Shaharom Husain.^[5] Berita Harian on 2 August 1961 promote Shaharom Husain’s work titled Tun Seri Lanang.^[6] Berita Harian on 8 August 1961 promote Shaharom Husain’s work titled Tongkat Kerajaan Melayu Johor.^[7]

On 23 October 1961, Shaharom Husain as a lecturer from the Johor Bahru Teacher Training Center said that the Greater Malay plan from Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman would prove that history never lie even constantly repeated. And at some point in time not only Singapore, Brunei, Sarawak and Sabah but also Indonesia will be included in the Greater Malay. He stressed that in history there is recorded about the Bugis state government cooperate with the Johor Malay government in politics for more than two centuries. As proof, he showed his book as the result of his research for several years entitled Tunggak Kerajaan Melayu Johor.^[8]

Berita Harian on 23 November 1961 promotes three Shaharom Husain works called Tun Seri Lanang, Tonggak Kerajaan Melayu Johor and Si Bongkok Tanjong Puteri.^[9] Berita Harian on 5 December and 10 December 1961 lists three Shaharom Husain books called Tun Seri Lanang, Tonggak Kerajaan Melayu Johor and Si Bongkok Tanjong Puteri in the list of 12 books that must be read and studied by students in national schools and foreigner students who learn the national language. This list is to increase and broaden their knowledge and to learn Malay literature with the correct language. It can be seen that Shaharom Husain works dominate this list when other writers only have 1 work only.^[10]

Berita Harian on 13 October 1962 promote the work of Tun Seri Lanang written by Shaharom Husain.^[11] Berita Harian on 20 October 1962 promote the work of Si Bongkok Tanjong Puteri written by Shaharom Husain.^[12] Berita Harian on 27 October 1962 promote Shaharom Husain’s work titled Harimau Johor.^[13] Berita Harian on 24 November 1962 promote the work of Tonggak Kerajaan Melayu Johor written by Shaharom Husain.^[14] Berita Harian on 30 May 1963 and 19 March 1964 lists four Shaharom Husain books called Tun Seri Lanang, Tonggak Kerajaan Melayu Johor, Si Bongkok Tanjong Puteri and Harimau Johor as books for public reading.^[15] Berita Harian on 30 June 1963 promote Shaharom Husain work titled Lembing Awang Pulang Ka-Dayang.^[16] Berita Harian on 11 July 1963 lists four Shaharom Husain books called Tun Seri Lanang, Tonggak Kerajaan Melayu Johor, Si Bongkok Tanjong Puteri and Harimau Johor as books for public reading. It can be seen that Shaharom Husain's works dominate publication when 7 other authors are listed only one book unless Abdullah Sidek with 2 books.^[17]

Berita Harian on 27 January 1964 stated Shaharom Husain as the President of Johor Malay Culture Body has called on the Johor government to improve the history effects which are still plentiful in Kota Tinggi in order to attract tourists to the state. His body thanks the Johor government who has answered the call of his body in the past to improve the history effects. The Johor government has been spending money as much as $ 3,000 to repair the history effects in Kota Tinggi.^[18]

Berita Harian on 25 February 1964 stated Shaharom Husain as the President of the Johor Malay Culture Body has called on members of the body to continue to fight in preserve the purity of the Malay culture from been tainted by the unhealthy culture from the West. He also reminded members of the body to enter the body with an honest intention and has no ulterior motives. They must enter the body with a sincere intention to serve the nation and religion. He also noted that we need to investigate and preserve the relics and the history effects of our country so that we can thus determine our character as a morally race. Only race with big hearts know to appreciate the values ​​of its history.^[19]

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^[1] Djamal Tukimin, Dokumentasi 18 naskhah drama Shahrom Husain in Berita Harian, 13 April 1992, p. 6.

^[2] Anonymous, Novelist, playwright, biographer in The Straits Times, 23 April 1991, p. 9.

^[3] Anonymous, Passion for the past in The Straits Times, 30 April 1992, p. 13.

^[4] Anonymous, Kosong ta’ ganti in Berita Harian, 14 January 1959, p. 2.

^[5] Anonymous, Halaman 4 Iklan Ruangan 2 in Berita Harian, 27 April 1960, p. 4. See also Anonymous, Halaman 4 Iklan Ruangan 2 in Berita Harian, 13 November 1960, p. 4.

^[6] Anonymous, Halaman 3 Iklan Ruangan 2 in Berita Harian, 2 August 1961, p. 3.

^[7] Anonymous, Halaman 4 Iklan Ruangan 2 in Berita Harian, 8 August 1961, p. 4.

^[8] Anonymous, Sejarah tidak pernah bohong in Berita Harian, 24 October 1961, p. 2.

^[9] Anonymous, Halaman 5 Iklan Ruangan 1 in Berita Harian, 23 November 1961, p. 5.

^[10] Anonymous, Halaman 5 Iklan Ruangan 1 in Berita Harian, 5 December 1961, p. 5. See also Anonymous, Halaman 2 Iklan Ruangan 1 in Berita Harian, 10 December 1961, p. 2.

^[11] Anonymous, Halaman 4 Iklan Ruangan 2 in Berita Harian, 13 October 1962, p. 4.

^[12] Anonymous, Halaman 5 Iklan Ruangan 1 in Berita Harian, 20 October 1962, p. 5.

^[13] Anonymous, Halaman 4 Iklan Ruangan 2 in Berita Harian, 27 October 1962, p. 4.

^[14] Anonymous, Halaman 4 Iklan Ruangan 2 in Berita Harian, 24 November 1962, p. 4.

^[15] Anonymous, Halaman 1 Iklan Ruangan 3 in Berita Harian, 30 May 1963, p. 1. See also Anonymous, Halaman 1 Iklan Ruangan 3 in Berita Harian, 19 March 1964, p. 1.

^[16] Anonymous, Halaman 10 Iklan Ruangan 2 in Berita Harian, 30 June 1963, p. 10.

^[17] Anonymous, Halaman 4 Iklan Ruangan 2 in Berita Harian, 11 July 1963, p. 1.

^[18] Anonymous, Kesan2 sejarah Kota Tinggi: Seruan tokoh budaya Johor in Berita Harian, 27 January 1964, p. 5.

^[19] Anonymous, Ketua budaya menyeru ra’ayat menyiasat bekas pusaka purba in Berita Harian, 25 February 1964, p. 2. See also Anonymous, Meshuarat Agong Badan Seni in. Berita Harian, 13 February 1964, p. 2.