“If we want independence, we can certainly achieve independence”
“If you believe in yourself, anything is possible,” – Sakinah Junid
Sakinah Junid was born in Kampung Lalang, Padang Rengas, in 1923. She was the daughter of Syeikh Junid Thala, a prominent religious scholar in Perak, and Sariyah Haji Said. Sakinah attended the revolutionary school for women in Padang Panjang, Diniyah Puteri led by Rahmah El Yunussiyah. Sakinah Junid was a powerful orator renowned for her eloquence. She adeptly combined pantun, poetry and Quranic phrases to inspire and galvanize young people in their fight for independence, effectively raising their political consciousness.
Sakinah Junid played a significant role in Angkatan Wanita Sedar (AWAS), the first nationalist women’s organization in Malaysia, established in late 1945. Even at a young age, Sakinah displayed impressive leadership skills and charisma. At 24 years old, she spoke to a crowd of 7000 at a rally in Taiping in 1947, representing the women’s voice for independence. Her image was captured in a magazine article captioned, “Wanita Zaman Atom”, documenting Sakinah as the emerging woman leader of the new era.
Sakinah Junid famously led a group of 300 youths from Angkatan Pemuda Insaf (API) and AWAS in a march from Padang Rengas to Kuala Kangsar to attend a mass gathering against the Malayan Union on May 28, 1948. Throughout the march, they passionately sang patriotic songs such as “Darah Rakyat” and “Dari Barat Hingga Ke Timur,” alternating with chants of “Merdeka! Merdeka! Merdeka!” (Independence!). Despite the British ban on public vehicles, which prevented them from travelling via bus to the rally, Sakinah’s resolute leadership and determination inspired the group to continue. She reminded them, “In Indonesia, young men and women struggle to shed their last drop of blood to fight for independence…young men and women of Malaya, we have not been asked to do more than shed a drop of two of sweat..” Confronting the men’s initial reluctance to walk the distance, she boldly challenged them, “Brother member of API, are you ready to make it on foot with us? If you are not ready, stay behind, but before you do, you will have to be prepared to change clothes with us women from AWAS!”
After the ban on PKMM, Sakinah pursued a political career with PAS. Her husband, Mohd Asri Haji Muda, was a prominent PAS leader. Sakinah led the Dewan Muslimat, the women’s wing of PAS, from 1963 to 1983, a period of 20 years. She eventually left PAS to follow her husband into the newly formed Hizbul Muslimin. In 1993, she joined UMNO as a regular member in support of Anwar Ibrahim. Sakinah Junid passed away in 2004.
A biography about Sakinah Junid and her husband was written by one of their daughters Ratna Inzah: “Asri Sakinah: Menyulam Kehidupan” 2021