Since its formation on 2 June 1948, the Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu (abbreviated as 4PM; derived from the initials of the Malay name and pronounced “empat PM”), or Malay Youth Literary Association, has been a driving force in the development of Malay youths in Singapore.[1]
4PM was founded by five youths – Hanifa S. Kanoo, Mohd Yatim Dohon, Syed Ja’afar Almenor, Hussein Bin Mohd Ali and Tengku Abdullah Bin Tenku Omar – who “understood and acknowledged the importance of education in the development and success” of the Malay community.[2] The association’s main focus during its formative years was, therefore, on education and the promotion of the Malay language.[3]
The association’s first project was to set up a school for the Malay community.On 3 October 1948, 4PM established a sekolah rakyat (community school) at Kampong Serangoon Kecil. Three years later, in June 1951, the association established a second school, the Sekolah Rakyat Serangoon, at the former premises of Al-Arabiah Al-Islamiah School located at No. 2 Hillside Drive.[4]
In 1952, 4PM organised the inaugural inter-school debate competition, Bahas 4PM (“Debate 4PM”), targeted at primary and secondary school students.[5] The annual competition provided Malay students with the opportunity to sharpen their minds and oratorical skills.[6] In 1959, a separate category for non-Malay students was introduced as part of the association’s efforts to promote and encourage the use of Malay as the national language.[7] In 1971, Bahas 4PM was shown on television for the first time by the then Radio and Television Singapore (RTS; now known as MediaCorp). RTS took over as organiser of the competition for several years in the mid-1980s.[8] In 1993, the competition was revived by 4PM as an annual event for pre-university students from junior colleges, polytechnics and madrasahs.[9] The debate competition is still organised annually, and the finals have been held at Caldecott Broadcast Centre since 1997.[10]
4PM’s first headquarters was in a kampong (village) at No. 285 Jalan Eunos.[11] Established in 1961, the kampong house known as Rumah 4PM (“4PM House”) served as the venue for many of the association’s activities and competitions.[12] In 1964, the association started offering kindergarten classes at the headquarters in order to provide early childhood education for Malay preschoolers.[13] The association moved to its present premises at Block 606 Bedok Reservoir Road in 1984, due to land development and upgrading of the Jalan Eunos area.[14]
Many of 4PM’s members have gone on to become politicians and community leaders. They include Hawazi Daipi, senior parliamentary secretary for the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Manpower; Zainul Abidin Rasheed, former senior minister of state for foreign affairs and mayor of Northeast Community Development Council; and Maarof Salleh, former president of the Islamic Religious Council of Singapore.[15]
References
1. Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu. (2008). 60 Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu: 14 March 2008, Meritus Mandarin (p. 6). Singapore: Malay Youth Literary Association . Call no.: RSING 369.5095957 SIX; Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu. (2013). History. Retrieved March 19, 2015, from Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu website: http://www.4pm.org.sg/about-us/history/
2. Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu. (1999). 4PM: Dian masyarakat (torch of the community), 1948-–998 (pp. 43–44). Singapore: Malay Youth Literary Association. Call no.: Malay RSING 362.7095957 PPP.
3. Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu, 1999, p. 46.
4. Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu, 1999, p. 46.
5. Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu, 1999, p. 68; Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu, 2008, p. 7.
6. Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu, 1999, p. 68.
7. Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu, 1999, p. 69; Robert takes the floor. (1959, November 23). The Singapore Free Press, p. 10. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
8. Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu, 1999, p. 69.
9. Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu, 1999, pp. 69–70; Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu, 2008, p. 7.
10. Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu, 1999, p. 70; Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu. (2015, February 26). Events. Retrieved March 19, 2015, from Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu website: http://www.4pm.org.sg/category/events/
11. New ‘home’ for Malay literary group. (1961, October 6). The Singapore Free Press, p. 4. Retrieved from NewspaperSG; Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu. (2013). Milestones. Retrieved March 19, 2015, from Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu website: http://www.4pm.org.sg/about-us/milestones/
12. Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu. (1985). Bingkisan 1948–1984: Dari Jalan Eunos ke Bedok Reservoir (p. 14). Singapore: Malay Youth Literary Association. Call no.: Malay RSING q899.23 BIN.
13. Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu, 1999, p. 73; Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu, 1985, p. 17.
14. Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu, 2013, Milestones; 4PM susun kegiatan di bangunan baru [4PM plans activities at new premises]. (1984, November 17). Berita Harian, p. 3. Retrieved from NewspaperSG.
15. Persatuan Persuratan Pemuda Pemudi Melayu, 2013, History.
The information in this article is valid as at March 2015 and correct as far as we are able to ascertain from our sources. It is not intended to be an exhaustive or complete history of the subject. Please contact the Library for further reading materials on the topic.