In his inspiring political memoir, Dark Clouds at Dawn , Said Zahari ( photo ), who had served as editor of the very independent and outspoken Malay newspaper Utusan Melayu reminded us of that defining moment in 1961 when the press lost its freedom in Malaysia.

That year, Umno, under the control of Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj, instituted a takeover of Utusan Melayu Press Bhd to ensure that the paper's editorial would portray his party and administration in a favourable light.