At 104, Poktar still remembers the day Merdeka arrived

At 104 years old, Mukhtar Mamat, fondly known as Poktar, still vividly recalls the hardships and fear experienced during Malaysia's pre-independence era. Born in Kampung Teras, Kelantan, life for Poktar was characterized by scarcity of jobs and food, and the daily struggle of walking long distances. He told Bernama that life then was filled with uncertainty and hunger, with eating young shoots being a common occurrence.

At 18, he was forced to work on a military fort in Pengkalan Chepa three days a week, enduring long hours and receiving only RM1.50 a day. The hard labor was only overshadowed by the fear of punishment for any wrongdoings. He even remembers being struck by a hoe on his left arm and kicked in the back until he fell. This period of his life was marked by fear and suffering, with many forced to labor for the Japanese occupiers and living in constant fear.

It was only after a year that he managed to escape to his family home in Padang Pak Amat, Pasir Puteh. In 1957, Aug 31 is more than just a date for Poktar. The day of Malaysia's independence, when Tunku Abdul Rahman proclaimed Merdeka, was a celebration of freedom and the end of colonial rule. He joined the jubilant crowds in Kota Bharu when the Tunku arrived in the capital, and the cry of "Merdeka" echoed in his heart.

The scars of his past still remain and remind him of the hardships he endured. For Poktar, peace is not merely an abstract concept, but a deeply personal experience shaped by his lived memories. As Malaysia celebrates another Merdeka, Poktar hopes that younger generations will appreciate the peace and stability they have inherited, and remember that it was forged through the struggles and hardships of those who lived before them.