Oldest Newspaper in Malaysia

The Malay Mail is the first daily newspaper published in the Federated Malay States, which made its debut on 1.12.1896. It had its first publishing office at a shophouse along Market Street (now Leboh Pasar Besar). It initially operated with secondhand printing machines bought from a Singapore paper which ceased operations earlier that year. Their shophouse was subsequently pulled down to make way for the Kuala Lumpur General Post Office at the corner of King Street and Market Street. (Picture 1).

Picture 1: Shophouses that existed prior to the construction of the Kuala Lumpur General Post Office. (Source: G.R
 Lambert & Co., c. 1897)

In terms of ownership, James Henry Matthews Robson (1870-1945) has always been dubbed as the founder of Malay Mail (Picture 2).  Robson Heights and Jalan Robson, an upscale area in the Seputeh neighbourhood of present-day Kuala Lumpur were named after him in honour of his role in the first daily newspaper, as well as his subsequent role as a member of the Federal Council of FMS.

Picture 2: James Henry Matthews Robson, c. 1907.

In 1900, Malay Mail changed its legal entity to a private limited company. In 1903, editorship was taken over by S.C. Yeomans, a Cambridge graduate, wherein the publishing office moved to Java Street (now Jalan Tun Perak).  Robson held the post of a managing director. In 1906, the paper employed  F.M. Price, another Cambridge graduate, as an assistant to S.C. Yeomans.

Sometime in 1907, as readership grew, the company moved into four units of newly built shophouses along Java Street (Picture 3). Simultaneously, a new and larger printing machine was procured from England. 

Picture 3: Malay Mail Office at Java Street (Jalan Tun Perak) c. 1907.

It is interesting to note that according to an article by Walter Makepeace published in a 1908 book titled '20th Century Impressions of British Malaya', Malay Mail had a co-founder. A passage from the 1908 article states as follows:-

"The first editor was Mr. J.H.M. Robson, who was also part proprietor. His partner was a government official, who was so conscientious that he never either supplied an item of news or offered an opinion."

There is no direct evidence as to the identity of this conscientious and principled co-founder of Malay Mail. Nevertheless, the content of the 1908 article with regards to Robson's background and social circle gives some hint as to how the founders could have met:-

" Mr. James Henry Matthews Robson, formerly editor now managing director of the Malay Mail Press Company, is the eldest son of the Rev. Dr. Robson, of Guildford, Surrey, and was born on May 8, 1870. In 1889 he went to Ceylon as a premium pupil on a tea estate, and later in the same year entered the service of the Selangor Government. During the succeeding seven years he was in charge of the sub-districts of Rawang and Sepang, acted as District Officer of Klang and Ulu Langat Districts, and in 1896, when he left the service, was Acting Collector of Land Revenue at Kuala Lumpur and Registrar of Titles for the whole State. He resigned his Government appointment in order to start the Malay Mail. He now carries on business as a land investment agent, chiefly on behalf of Towkay Loke Yew, the well-known Chinese millionaire. He has been a trustee of the Victoria Institution, a Visiting Justice at the gaol, and from 1905 to 1907 an unofficial member of the Kuala Lumpur Sanitary Board. He is a committee member of the Hare School Endowment Fund and of the Lake Club. His name appears on two publications - "Selangor Laws, 1896," and "People in a Native State." He is an ardent motorist, and, socially, is a charming man to meet."

I believe that both of them may have served as trustees of Victoria Institution. It could not have been Sir William Hood Treacher or Sir John Picketsgill Rodger, as although both officials were instrumental in setting up Victoria Institution, they were still in the government service when Malay Mail was established in 1896.

To my mind, the only Selangor ex-government servant in 1896, with links to the supply of printing machines from Singapore, affiliation with the trustees of Victoria Institution, and direct connection to Towkay Loke Yew is none other than K. Thamboosamy Pillay (Picture 4).  I have written an earlier article on him [See: Kayaroganam Thamboosamy Pillay (1850-1902)].

Picture 4: Kayaroganam Thamboosamy Pillay, c. 1900s.

Based on their respective career path, Robson was in charge of the district of Rawang when Thamboosamy resigned from the Selangor government and went into partnership with Towkay Loke Yew in the Rawang Mining Concession in 1890. Robson also subsequently became a land investment agent for Towkay Loke Yew.

I believe that Malay Mail could probably be one of Thamboosamy's many ventures. Alternatively perhaps, as a moneylender, Thamboosamy could have provided the paper's initial funding entitling him to some form of lien or ownership claim over its shares. High initial capital would have been required as Malay Mail operated as a free lunchtime paper during its early years.

Further, besides Cambridge graduates Yeomans and Price, the remaining employees of the paper were mainly of Tamil origin. Specific mention is made by the 1908 article to a Tamil foreman by the name of T. Patmanabha Mudaliar who is recorded to be an exemplary employee who regarded the paper business as "a pet child of his own". 

As readership grew, the paper was able to finance its own operations. Due to its influential ownership, full support was obtained from the officials with regards to its journalistic independence. The 1908 article further states as follows:-

"It is interesting to note that although Malay Mail gives free utterance to criticism of the Government, the leading officials have always given the journal their support and maintained friendly relations with the gentlemen responsible for its production."

I believe such support would have been impossible without the great tact and judgment of Malay Mail's founders in dealing with the authorities. It is recorded that Thamboosamy regularly entertained officials and industry players at social functions held at his Batu Road residence (now Sekolah Kebangsaan (Lelaki) Jalan Batu) (Picture 5).

Picture 5: Luncheon party at K. Thamboosamy Pillay's residence at Batu Road (c. 1899).

I also believe that the reason why the 1908 article referred to the co-founder of Malay Mail in the past tense was because he had passed on at that stage. This suits the timeline of Thamboosamy's passing in 1902.

Robson never reveal the existence of any other founder of Malay Mail but himself. In his 1934 book titled 'Records and Recollections 1889-1934', Robson disclosed A.K.E. Hampshire and later D.E. Hampshire as his subsequent co-directors, each with minimal financial interest in the company. 

Nevertheless it is interesting to note that in his 1934 book, Robson describes Thamboosamy's exemplary character with high degree of personal affinity, especially on the issue of his generosity in granting financial help to his friends:-

" Socially Thamboosamy was a leading light at the Selangor Club. He was almost an institution in himself. In later years he was keenly involved in racing : an interest inherited by his sons, one of whom is still with us. Thamboosamy's bank account must have been depleted more than once to help a friend in difficulties. A curry tiffin at his house on the Batu Road was something to remember. Racial distinctions were unknown in the early days. Thamboosamy was just as popular with Europeans as with other races. His position in the community was at the top of the ladder."

Perhaps the only way to be certain of this supposition is if we are able to locate and examine the company's records as it stood in 1900. This would reveal the co-founder's interest which would be represented in a form of share ownership or a charge over its assets.  Be that as it may, such endeavour would probably be an uphill task as most of the company's records were destroyed during World War II and during the Japanese management of the paper under their own title "Malai Sinpo".  Robson himself was captured by the Imperial Japanese Army and died sometime in 1945 as a prisoner of war in Singapore.

Sources:

1. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malay_Mail

2. http://epaper.mmail.com.my/2016/12/16/it-began-with-robson/

3. Bygone Selangor: A Souvenir (1922), Rimba. 

4. 'Records and Recollections 1889-1934' (1934), J.H.M. Robson.

5. "Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its History, People, Commerce, Industries, and Resources" Arnold Wright & H. A. Cartwright, Lloyd's Greater Britain Publishing Co. Ltd., 1908.

Singapore Electric Tramways

A Map showing Singapore Electric Tramways' routes (c. 1905) (Source: 20th Century Impressions of British Malaya).

The Tramways Ordinance of 1902 allowed the London-registered company, Singapore Tramways Limited, to set up a tramway system in Singapore. The first electric trams on the island began operations on 24 July 1905 under a new venture, Singapore Electric Tramways Limited, which acquired Singapore Tramways Limited. The board of directors sat in London, with Sir Frank A. Swettenham as its first chairman. The initial acquisitions and operations were handled by their Singapore agents, Messrs. Guthrie & Company Limited.

Workers laying a track at North Bridge Road c. 1904 (Source: blogtoexpress.blogspot.com)

There were 50 single-deck passenger cars for its tram operations, which had three classes of travel. For the transport of freight, the company bought locomotives and freight wagons, and the types of cargo transported included animals, construction materials, agricultural produce, manufactured goods and wares and parcels. There were six tramway lines, which were based on the routes of the former 1886 steam tram service that was discontinued in 1894.

Steam Trams at Tanjong Pagar (c. 1892)(Source: National Library Board, Singapore)

Tramcar (modern design) (c. 1905). (Source: 20th Century Impressions of British Malaya).

Tramcar (open design) (c. 1905) (Source: 20th Century Impressions of British Malaya).

Goods tram (c. 1905)  (Source: 20th Century Impressions of British Malaya).

The routes covered Telok Blangah Road to Keppel Road, Tanjong Pagar Road to Geylang Road, Anson Road to Johnston’s Pier, Bras Basah Road to Serangoon Road, Serangoon Road to Kallang Road and High Street to Tank Road. The generating station situated in McKenzie Road, adjacent to the Rochor canal, from which an ample supply of water was obtained for condensing purposes. The building comprised of the power station and boiler house, car shed, workshop, as well as the company's general office. The power station also supplied electricity to the Municipal Commissioners of Singapore which in turn supplied electricity to private consumers.

Singapore Electric Tramways Ltd's Power Station at McKenzie Rd. (c. 1905) (Source: 20th Century Impressions of British Malaya).

Power Station (interior) (c. 1905)  (Source: 20th Century Impressions of British Malaya).

Boiler House (c. 1905) (Source: 20th Century Impressions of British Malaya).

Car Shed (c. 1905) (Source: 20th Century Impressions of British Malaya).

A peculiar feature of the traffic is its denseness through China Town along North Bridge and South Bridge Roads. Almost two-thirds of the total number of passengers were carried on this section of the line, which extends for two miles. The tramway also ran into the less populated areas such as Geylang and Serangoon. This encouraged the ensuing development of both areas.

Electric Tram at Geylang terminus (Source: National Library Board, Singapore)

Tram rides were initially charged by the number of sections in a route or by the full distance of the route, with fares ranging from 10 to 20 cents. This was expensive in comparison to other existing modes of transportation such as rickshaws and horse carriages. Besides the limited tram routes covering areas away from town, high fares and the complicated payment structure added to the public’s reluctance to commute via tram. Fares were eventually reduced to as low as three cents per section. More people began to use the trams and in 1909 an average of 32,000 passengers a day used the trams.

However, trams faced a variety of issues such as obstructions on tramlines, vandalism, boycotts by Chinese guilds, as well as infrastructure and mechanical issues. In 1922, under advice from the Shanghai Electric Construction Company, tram operations were revamped, including repairs to the tramcars and revised fare scales in an effort to keep the system going. The situation improved and the operators were able to turn a profit.

Despite this turnaround, the municipality commissioners decided not to renew the tramway concessions. They cited incompatibility of the parties’ interests over the state of the roads on which the trams ran. It is said that the commissioners were embarrassed that the reconstructed tracks of the company ran on fine, metalled surface, while the outside lanes managed by the municipality were battered. The tram company was wound up and a new entity, the Singapore Traction Company, was formed in 1925 to operate electric-powered trolley buses introduced pursuant to the Singapore Traction Ordinance of 1925. The conversion from electric trams to trolley buses occurred in stages, with the last changeover happening at the end of 1927. The Singapore electric trolley bus system, dubbed as the world's largest, ceased operations in 1962.

Sources:

1. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trams_in_Singapore

2. https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1085_2006-06-08.html

3. https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/history/events/9210d580-a90b-41f7-a50d-4b92df3eb83c

4. https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/newspapers/Digitised/Article/easterndaily19060413-1.2.24.2

5. https://blogtoexpress.blogspot.com/2011/10/north-bridge-road-then-and-now.html

6. "Twentieth Century Impressions of British Malaya: Its History, People, Commerce, Industries, and Resources" Arnold Wright & H. A. Cartwright, Lloyd's Greater Britain Publishing Co. Ltd., 1908.

Pilihan Raya Umum Pramerdeka

Kegagalan British melindungi Tanah Melayu semasa Perang Dunia Kedua telah membuka mata rakyat tempatan untuk menuntut kemerdekaan. Lebih-lebih lagi setelah British kembali dan mencuba nasib dengan penubuhan Malayan Union.

Penentangan terhadap Malayan Union oleh kesatuan-kesatuan Melayu di bawah pimpinan Dato' Onn Jaafar menghasilkan Perjanjian Persekutuan Tanah Melayu 1948. Secara amnya, British tidak beberapa khuatir tentang kehilangan kuasa kerana hampir keseluruhan pengeluaran hasil bumi Tanah Melayu masih dipegang syarikat-syarikat British dan proksinya. Apa yang penting adalah penubuhan sebuah pentadbiran "British friendly" supaya hak perdagangan mereka tidak terjejas.

Perjanjian Persekutuan Tanah Melayu 1948 dan fasa yang dirangka dibawahnya adalah penting kerana ia memansuhkan pelaksanaan Malayan Union yang hanya sempat bertapak selama 22 bulan. Perjanjian 1948 tersebut juga menyatukan negeri-negeri Melayu dalam sebuah Persekutuan untuk pertama kali di mana kedudukan Raja-Raja Melayu telah dikembalikan.

Dengan itu, melalui Perjanjian 1948 ini, Majlis Penasihat digantikan dengan Majlis Perundangan Persekutuan (Federal Legislative Council) iaitu merupakan langkah permulaan ke arah pentadbiran sendiri.

Pada tahun 1955, Majlis Perundangan Persekutuan tersebut telah dibubarkan bagi membolehkan pilihan raya umum diadakan buat julung kalinya. Pilihan raya umum Persekutuan Tanah Melayu ini diadakan pada 27.7.1955 iaitu dua tahun sebelum Tanah Melayu diisytiharkan merdeka. Hari ini genap 65 tahun peristiwa tersebut yang juga dirakam dalam klip filem pertama simpanan Imperial War Museums ini.

Klip filem pertama

Kilp filem tersebut merakamkan proses berkempen, pengiraan undi, sambutan kemenangan dan pasca pilihan raya. Ianya juga menunjukkan barisan kabinet yang bergambar di hadapan King's House dan mesyuarat pertama yang dipengerusikan oleh YTM Tunku Abdul Rahman selaku Ketua Menteri Persekutuan Tanah Melayu.  Juga diulas tentang tugas beberapa orang Menteri dari kalangan rakyat tempatan iaitu Abdul Aziz Ishak (Menteri Pertanian), Sardon Haji Zubir (Menteri Kerja Raya), Ong Yoke Lin (Menteri Pos & Telekom), dan Dato' Abdul Razak (Menteri Pelajaran).

Klip filem kedua pula adalah klip kempen mengundi yang dikeluarkan sempena pilihan raya umum 1955 tersebut.

Klip filem kedua

Terdapat 52 kerusi dipertandingkan di mana parti Perikatan yang terdiri dari parti UMNO, MCA, dan MIC memenangi 51 kerusi dan berjaya membentuk kerajaan. Sebuah lagi kerusi dimenangi oleh parti PAS.

Setelah menerima barisan wakil kabinet parti Perikatan yang diumumkan pada 1.8.1955, Pesuruhjaya Tinggi British, Sir Donald Mac Gillivray mengumumkan kesemua 15 jemaah menteri pada 4.8.1955 di King's House, Kuala Lumpur. Pengumuman ini dibuat setelah Majlis Raja-Raja Melayu mengesahkan barisan kabinet tersebut.

Ahli Majlis Perundangan Persekutuan dengan itu bertambah kepada 98 orang iaitu 52 orang yang dipilih melalui pilihan raya umum (menggantikan 50 orang ahli tidak rasmi), 35 orang ahli yang dilantik mewakili kepentingan-kepentingan tertentu, dan 11 orang lagi terdiri daripada Menteri Besar dan wakil-wakil negeri. 

15 jemaah menteri ini mengangkat sumpah taat setia menjalankan tugas dan akuan rahsia pada 9.8.1955 di hadapan Ketua Hakim iaitu Mr. Prethaser. Kabinet Persekutuan Tanah Melayu ini dibentuk semasa British masih lagi menjajah Tanah Melayu dan dengan itu masih lagi mengandungi pegawai tinggi British yang dilantik bagi portfolio-portfolio penting seperti kewangan, hal-ehwal ekonomi dan pertahanan bagi menjamin hak dan kesinambungan perdagangan British tidak terjejas. Ini mungkin sebab utama rakyat tempatan tidak mengiktirafnya sebagai PRU pertama dan juga persidangan Parlimen pertama. Lihat klip filem ketiga yang dirakam semasa persidangan parlimen selepas pilihan raya umum pramerdeka tersebut.

Klip filem ketiga

Walaubagaimanapun, apa yang tidak dapat disangkal adalah semangat kerjasama dan muhibbah di kalangan anggota parti Perikatan yang telah menjadi pemangkin kepada kejayaan yang diperoleh dalam proses awal pentadbiran sendiri. Seterusnya, kemuafakatan yang sama telah membawa kepada kejayaan dalam memperoleh kemerdekaan negara dua tahun kemudian iaitu pada 31.8.1957.

1. Imperial War Museums, London.

2. British Pathe.

3. https://www.parlimen.gov.my/maklumat-umum.html?uweb=dn&&_print=true

4. https://ms.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pilihan_raya_umum_Malaysia

5. https://pekhabar.com/h-i-d-s-persekutuan-tanah-melayu-ditubuhkan/