The Resting Place of a Malaysian Independence Fighter in Taiping

Who would have thought that in the midst of the bustling town of Taiping, lies the grave of Dr. Burhanuddin Al-Helmy, who has been laid to rest at the Old Taiping Mosque since 1969.

The man whose real name was Amir Burhanuddin bin Ungku Muhammad Noor was one of the figures who contributed significantly to the struggle for Malaysia's independence. He was described as an unparalleled national freedom fighter by Professor Emeritus Tan Sri Dato' Khoo Kay Kim, as he was a figure who dedicated his life to the nation's independence across three eras: before, during, and after Malaysia's independence.

For the information of orangperak.com readers, the title 'Al-Helmy' was given because he was a gentle-mannered person who was well-liked by many throughout his dealings. He also held a doctorate, as he was a Malay pioneer who founded Homeopathic Medicine in Malaysia and wrote many books on the subject.

Furthermore, he earned a PhD from Aligarh University, New Delhi, India, in the fields of Philosophy and Literature, English, French, German, and Homeopathic Medicine. Among his written works that discuss his struggles and politics are as follows:

• Perjuangan Kita (Our Struggle) (1946)
• Falsafah Kebangsaan Melayu (Malay National Philosophy) (1947)
• Agama dan Politik (Religion and Politics) (1954)
• Ideologi Politik Islam (Islamic Political Ideology) (1957)

For the information of orangperak.com readers, he was posthumously awarded the Darjah Seri Paduka Cura Si Manja Kini (SPCM) by the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah, on November 27, 2015. Among the locations named in his honor are:

• Jalan Burhanuddin Helmi in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
• Persiaran Burhanuddin Helmi in Taman Tun Dr Ismail, Kuala Lumpur
• Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Doktor Burhanuddin in Taiping, Perak
• Sekolah Rendah Islam Burhanuddin Al-Helmy in Alor Setar, Kedah
• Kolej Burhanuddin Helmi, Residential College, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Bangi, Selangor

He was once detained by the British colonial authorities under the ISA towards the end of his life due to his vocal activism at the time. It is also said that the complications from the asthma he suffered while in detention contributed to his death in October 1969. Therefore, let us all pray that his soul is blessed with mercy and that his spirit of struggle continues to be felt by future generations.