The books were neatly arranged at the cashier at the Kinokuniya bookstore in Suria KLCC, Kuala Lumpur.
Its tastefully designed cover, with the title ‘Tuesdays with Bapak’, caught my attention. It was, after all, the book that I had intended to buy.
‘Tuesdays with Bapak’ is my latest bedtime read. As I flipped through the pages, I was eager to read more, know more.
Perhaps it’s the font size that is easy to my eyes. Or the way it is written, as though the author – respected media figure Datuk Nuraina Samad – is seated next to me, relating her impactful memories.
The book is, after all, about Nuraina’s father – the late Tan Sri Abdul Samad Ismail, a renowned journalist and political activist, who was detained under the draconian Internal Security Act (ISA) in 1976, in Kuala Lumpur.
For years, his family could only meet him at a police station on Tuesdays – hence, the title of the book. Memories of how the Samad family navigated the crisis and went through the ordeal were inked in the 376-page book published by Bru Publication Sdn Bhd.
“The articles were from my blog (Nuraina A. Samad’s 3540 Jln Sudin), which I started in 2006,” shared Nuraina.
“Actually, it was Rocky (Datuk Ahirudin Attan) who got me to blog, and publish a book. Being a journalist, and writing a blog is so different.”
“Rocky said; ‘Why don’t you write about your Dad?’ I said I can’t, as it is personal. There were people whom I didn’t like, there were people whom I thought were friends but were not. I kept this inside for so long… I didn’t know it was still alive inside of me.”
Nuraina added that once she started writing, the memories came flooding back.
“It was like watching a movie. All the details, experiences … they were all there, clear, vivid, and crisp. They came out in sequences, like when Special Branch (police) officers came to pick up my Dad.”
For the uninitiated, Abdul Samad was born in Geylang, Singapore, on April 18, 1924. He started his career in journalism with Utusan Melayu, at the tender age of 16, before becoming editor of Berita Malai in 1944, at the height of the Japanese occupation.
Fondly known as Pak Samad, Abdul Samad continued his journey in the media industry before he was made managing editor of The New Straits Times Group in 1974.
He was active in politics and co-founded Gerakan Angkatan Muda in 1947. Abdul Samad was also involved in the Anti-British League coalition and was arrested twice (in 1946 and 1951), in Singapore, by the British. He was also the founding member of Singapore’s People Action Party in 1954.
Following the Natrah Riots in 1951, Abdul Samad was jailed in Pulau Sekinchan for incitement. In 1976, he was arrested by the Malaysian authorities under the ISA for allegedly sympathising with the communists. He was released in 1981.
Nuraina admitted that not many today would be able to relate to the ordeal she and her family went through. She is glad that the book is finally out.
“I’ve not thought about a Part 2 … I don’t know what else I can take from this. From my Dad’s detention to release, I don’t think there’s anything more to write.
“My family members and friends have been supportive about it (the book). I’m planning a book launch soon, perhaps in an informal setting.”
Nuraina admitted that the book had impacted different people in different ways.
“After I had told the stories, I told myself that I was done. I’m tired. But my youngest sister said the book brought back so many dark memories, memories that she wanted to forget.
“Even some of my close friends and former classmates didn’t know about this, about what the family went through.”
“Many of our younger generation may not know who my Dad was, and do not know anyone who has gone through this. I had a following, who read my articles weekly. For them, it was an eye opener, and they found it to be revealing.
“They know of ISA detainees, but they don’t know the stories behind them. Maybe it’s the journalist in me. I guess it must be… to observe and write.”
Nuraina said she never realised the power of grief and pain, and what they could produce.
“I thought I got over that once I started working in the New Straits Times … I met good people. Life went on, but they (the memories) were still there. I just never knew they were there.
“You think you have forgotten, but they’re all there, buried somewhere. And I didn’t even have to try hard to remember, they all came out naturally.”
She added the whole ordeal was a lesson in life.
“In times like these, you will know who your friends really are. I didn’t hold any grudges, but I ‘woke’ up. I understood the politics behind this, and more about the ISA at that time. My view of the entire political system changed.”
Others would have turned to politics for vengeance, but Nuraina opted for her Dad’s first love – the art of writing.
“I was interested in the subject of politics and current affairs. I never saw myself as a politician. I just wanted to be a journalist.
“I can be friends with politicians, but I cannot be in politics. It’s just not me.”