|
 The
Za'ba residential college was built to remember the contributions of Pendeta
Za'ba @ Zainal Abidin bin Ahmad. He came into this world approximately 104 years
ago in Batu Kikir, Negeri Sembilan. He received his early education in a Malay
School before furthering his studies in an English School, St. Paul's
Institution, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan. He was the first prince to ever receive
a pass from the Senior Cambridge.
Before working as an academic personnel in University Malaya, he was teaching in
a few colleges in the Peninsular of Tanah Melayu. Furthermore, he once worked in
Singapore as a director in the Radio News Department before returning to Kuala
Lumpur. He once also worked in London for three years before going to Singapore
as a University Malaya's lecturer in that Republic. In the effort of bringing
Bahasa Melayu to greater heights, Za'ba began to get actively involved in Bahasa
Melayu literature.
 Many of his compositions were used as text books in Malay Schools. Among books
written by Za'ba are Canai Bacaan (1924), Ilmu Bahasa Melayu (1926 - 27),
Perjuangan Asyik (1930), Cerita Suka Shakespeare (1930), Umbi Kemajuan (1932),
Ilmu Pengarang Melayu (1934), Pelita Bahasa (1940 - 1947), Benih Kemajuan
(1941), Asuhan Budi (1958), Sejarah Ringkas Tanah Melayu (1961) dan Kalung Bunga
(1962). Other than writing books, Za'ba was also active in composing articles
for publishing in a few newspapers and magazines such as Majlis, Majalah Guru
and Utusan. He was once accused by the English for being disloyal and a traitor
following his publication which tells of the Malay community's poverty. His next
article was extracted by Prof. Diraja Ungku Aziz in his book ' Jejak-jejak di
Pantai Zaman '. Threats from the English did not frighten him, instead gave him
more courage to go against the authority who were not giving fair treatment to
Malay Schools. Za'ba's courage and perseverance was greatly admired.
He
was awarded the title " Pendeta Bahasa Melayu " during the Third Malay Language
and Literature Congress on 1956 in Johor Bharu. Until today, no one else has
been awarded the "Pendeta" title other than Za'ba. His contributions has been
continually appreciated, when in 1962, he was awarded the " Pingat Panglima
Mangku Negara " which bears the title Dato'(now Tan Sri) by the DYMM Seri Paduka
Baginda Yang Di-pertuan Agong. The last award received by Pendeta Za'ba was the
'Ijazah Kehormat Doktor Persuratan Melayu' by University Kebangsaan Malaysia
during their convocation ceremony in June 1973. All his awards signifies his
great contributions in giving prestige to the once neglected Bahasa Melayu,
especially in the economics and education field.
Now all that remains are memories. Pendeta Za'ba passed on on the 24th October
1973 or 27 Ramadhan 1392 H because of a serious illness. His departure from this
world has been escorted by society's blessings, especially lovers of the Malay
Language. May Allah shower His blessings onto Za'ba…... |
