The First Malay Newspaper: Utusan Melayu and the Birth of Modern Malay Politics

In this episode of The Story of Malaysia, Lucas and Luna explore the founding and impact of Utusan Melayu, the first Malay-language newspaper, launched in Singapore in 1939. They follow the journey of its key figures — Yusof Ishak, Abdul Rahim Kajai, and Ishak Haji Muhammad — who used the press to challenge colonial authority and articulate Malay nationalism. The conversation covers the newspaper's role in the anti-Malayan Union movement, its suppression under British rule and Japanese occupation, and its enduring legacy as a voice for the Malay community. Lucas explains how Utusan Melayu connected the Kaum Muda reformist ideas with grassroots politics, and how its independence from British and aristocratic control made it a unique platform. The episode also touches on the paper's shift in the post-Merdeka era and its eventual decline. Along the way, Lucas and Luna reflect on the power of the printed word in shaping national consciousness. This is a story of journalism, identity, and the long road to self-determination.

#UtusanMelayu #MalayNewspaper #YusofIshak #AbdulRahimKajai #IshakHajiMuhammad #KaumMuda #MalayNationalism #Singapore #MalayanUnion #ColonialPress #JournalismHistory #SoutheastAsia #MalaysiaHistory #FexingoHistory #History #MediaHistory #AntiColonialism #Merdeka

Keep every episode free: buymeacoffee.com/fexingo