The Story of My Mum (Part 1)

The Story of Mum

Mum, Halijah binti Tasir was born in 1938 as one of the daughters of Tasir Md Nor and Zaharah Abdullah, grows up in Temerloh, Pahang. Tasir grew up in a village beside the Kampar River in Gontiong, Salo, Bangkinang, Sumatera and came to Malaya when he was a teenager. The parents of Zaharah were originally from Pulau Tengah in Salo, not very far from Gontiong. but moved to Kampar community of Langgar Kedah and then to Temerloh Pahang in search of livelihood and brought up their children in Pekan Kuala Semantan and later to Kampung Batu Satu. When she is four years old, the Japanese army arrives in Malaya, bringing with them fear and uncertainty. Mum and her family struggle to survive during the Japanese occupation, facing shortages of food and supplies, as well as the constant threat of violence.

Despite these difficulties, Mother perseveres and progresses further. As she began her education, she enrolled in Sekolah Kebangsaan Bandar Temerloh at Kubang Gajah, which is about a kilometre from the town's centre. Temerloh turned into a hotbed for anti-British sentiment in the years after the Japanese occupation, which left the area in disarray. It was not unexpected because Tok Bahaman and his supporters had made the first anti-British declarations there fifty years prior in an effort to stop the British from interfering with the Pahang State's administration.

As a result, once she could read, write, and count, like the females of that time, the importance of education lost its top priority. She grew up in this manner after helping her family and neighbours. She learned to read the quran and the fardu Ain. Mum's perseverance and determination despite the challenges she faced during her early years. It's not easy to grow up in a chaotic environment, especially in the aftermath of a war, but it's admirable that she continued to push forward.

It's unfortunate that the necessity of education was no longer a priority for girls during that era, but it's understandable given the circumstances. It's commendable that she chose to help her family and neighbors instead, and that in itself is a valuable form of education.

Overall, Mum's story is a testament to the human spirit and the power of determination. Despite the odds stacked against her, she found a way to grow and thrive, and that's truly remarkable.

However, Mum's journey is not without its setbacks. She faces discrimination and sexism as a woman in a male-dominated field, and struggles to balance her career with her responsibilities as a wife and mother. Despite these obstacles, Mum remains dedicated to her work and her family, and continues to inspire those around her with her strength and resilience.

Temerloh during the Darurat years, which refers to the state of emergency declared by the British colonial government in response to the anti-colonial movement in Malaya, were likely very difficult for the local population, including Mum. During this period, the British authorities implemented various measures to suppress the insurgency, including curfews, internment of suspected insurgents and their families, and restrictions on movement and communication. The local populace would have been impacted by these measures, making it difficult for them to go about their daily routines. The entire perimeter of Kampung Baru Satu was fenced, and the village's entry and exit were guarded over by Home Guards. Food was rationed, and coupons were given out to receive the rationed rice. The school was transformed into a rice distribution centre. The fact that the village's inhabitants were split into the Left and the Right, with some siding with the rebels and others with the ruling party of the time, only made matters worse, and Many decided to accept it with total indifference.

Tasir and Zaharah in the 70's