At 104, Poktar still remembers the day Merdeka arrived

Mukhtar Mamat, known popularly as Poktar, continues to hold onto vivid recollections of life before Malaysia's independence, including the hardships and fear he experienced during the Japanese occupation. Renowned for his residence in Kampung Teras, Kelantan, he traces his upbringing to a time when opportunities were scarce, sustenance was hard to source, and traversing significant distances on foot was commonplace.

In an interview with Bernama, he shared, "We subsisted on young shoots, and embarking on journeys spanning tens of kilometres was an everyday occurrence."

His most poignant memories stem from the Japanese Occupation, when at the tender age of 18, Poktar was compelled to assist in the construction of a military fort in Pengkalan Chepa. He labored thrice weekly, toiling from 8:30 in the morning until 4:00 in the afternoon, earning a daily wage of RM1.50. The labor was arduous, but the anxiety accompanying the task was far more daunting.

Poktar vividly recalls being struck on his left arm with a hoe and kicked in the back until he collapsed. He stated, "Many of us were forced to work for them, and we lived in constant fear."

After approximately a year, Poktar managed to escape to his family home in Padang Pak Amat, Pasir Puteh. When Japanese soldiers later sought him out, he fled into the forest, sustaining an injury to his chest from barbed wire. The scar remains a lasting reminder to this day. Despite the formidable challenges of his youth, Poktar remains remarkably active, embodying a striking contrast to the hardships he once endured.

The milestone of Malaysia's independence on August 31, 1957, thus carries profound significance for him. He joined the throngs in Kota Bharu as Tunku Abdul Rahman arrived, gathering at Padang Bank with fellow celebrants eager to commemorate the nation's liberation from colonial rule. He recounted, "I had the opportunity to join the people in celebrating independence when Tunku visited.

Everyone was overjoyed because the country was finally free." The resounding cry of "Merdeka" remains etched in his memory. More than seven decades later, Poktar still views independence through the lens of his earlier experiences—long walks, meager food, forced labor, and the constant specter of punishment. For him, peace is not an abstract concept; it is a lived experience, a legacy of resilience and appreciation.

As Malaysia commemorates another Merdeka, Poktar fervently hopes that younger generations will grasp the stability they now enjoy, and recognize that it was forged through the trials many of them will never have to face.