Siti Rahmah Kassim

Datuk Siti Rahmah Kassim (30 November 1926 – 24 March 2017) was an independence fighter, best known for donating her golden bangle to Tunku Abdul Rahman Malaysia's 1st Prime Minister, to pay for the travel of Tunku Abdul Rahman to London for the meeting with Secretary of State for the Colonies Oliver Lyttelton to negotiate the independence of Malaysia from the United Kingdom.

The Golden Bangle

In 1957 Tunku Abdul Rahman had called for an emergency UMNO meeting at Dewan Hang Tuah in Bandar Hilir, Malacca where he lamented that the party did not have sufficient funds to help to send him and his delegates to Britain for negotiations of independence, and asked for donations from the public. He had reportedly shed tears while saying so, which inspired Siti Rahmah to take off her golden bangle and donate it. She reportedly said "This was a gift from my father for my wedding, but use it to aid in your fight for the country,". She then walked around the hall asking the crowd to contribute to the fight for independence. "Those who are inside and outside this hall, please make donations to help Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-haj to go to London for the sake of the people and nation," she said. Inspired by her selflessness, men took off their rings, gold wristwatches and even the gold handles off their walking sticks, while women pledged earrings, brooches and dress pins.

She had said that her action was spurred by her love for the country, people and religion in an interview with Bernama in 2010.

Siti's donation of her golden bangle was initially kept secret from her mother, but her mother found out after being told by someone else. Her mother had beaten her until blood had came out for it. She kept her bloody clothes from that day as a memory, calling them "blood of independence".

Politics

Siti Rahmah began her political career at the young age of 18 when she actively protested against the Malayan Union, and in 1959, she became the first woman to contest in the 1959 general election. She held the Tementang seat in Rembau for two consecutive terms on the Alliance ticket until 1969. Even while she was in her late 80s, Siti Rahmah was active in UMNO, in an interview with Bernama, she had said "Don't join UMNO today and hop to another party tomorrow just because someone says that party is better," referring to party hopping, while also praising then Prime Minister Najib Razak.^[1]

Later life

Siti had held posts such as Negri Sembilan Islamic Welfare Organisation of Malaysia (Perkim) chairman, and Negri Sembilan Single Mothers' Association and Malaysian Single Mothers Council deputy president. She was also head of the Rembau Kaum Ibu association for 17 years.

Death

Siti had died in Kelana Jaya, Petaling Jaya at 10:55 am, this was announced by her daughter Prof Puan Sri Dr Rohaty Mohd Majzub to Bernama. Her body was brought to the Al-Hidayah Mosque for funeral prayers and buried at the Bukit Kiara Muslim cemetery.^[2]

References