KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 20 — Malaysia’s journey as an independent nation over the past 57 years has been depicted in many of the stamps issued by Pos Malaysia.

Avid stamp collectors will have collections depicting events that were the cornerstone of the nation.

Among these philatelists are also those who collect first day covers. One among them, Ahmad Zukiman Zain, 53, now owns a memorable collection.

The oldest of his collection is the first day cover of Merdeka Day, stamped with the historical date of August 31, 1957. He has collected many of the first day covers issued thereafter, and neatly files his prized collection in 12 dedicated folders.

A hobby since childhood

Ahmad Zukiman, who started his career as a reporter for the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama), said his hobby was an extension of his interest in historical artifacts.

The philatelist, who is today the deputy editor-in-chief (foreign news service), said he enjoyed his career in news reporting as it enabled him to report and record Malaysia’s journey as an independent nation.

He found stamp collecting an easy and effective method to store mementos of the nation’s historical events.

His involvement in the philately club at his secondary school, Victoria Institution, also nurtured his interest in stamp collecting.

“A stamp may be small in size, but it is like a window to the world,” said Ahmad Zukiman. “A tiny stamp might have travelled across the globe. It also has its own artistic value that gives weight to the theme highlighted in the issue.”

Cognisant of the importance of the themes of the stamps issued, Pos Malaysia today issues a new collection nearly every month, compared with merely one to three collections annually in the early days.

The chase for first day covers

Stamps may be limited in its ability to disseminate information, but first day covers come with a pamphlet describing the theme of the stamps issued and their significance to the nation.

Also as priceless to those in the hunt for first day covers is the stamp on the envelopes itself, which states the date the stamp was issued.

first day covers issued after Merdeka initially did not come with pamphlets. It was only included with first day covers issued around the 1960s.

Ahmad Zukiman, who started collecting first day covers seriously since 1970, was inspired to collect the earlier ones issued by Pos Malaysia that he had missed.

His collaboration with other philatelists has helped him find the missing first day covers in his collection.

“I will not stop until I complete my collection,” he said. “Finding a missing collection is hugely rewarding for me.”

Ahmad Zukiman also buys first day covers from a store selling old stamps at Wisma Imbi. His most expensive investment was RM800, for a first day cover with the theme of birds issued in 1965. Other collections cost him between RM50 and RM100.

Changes in Malaysia

He recalled putting up with a long queue and uncomfortable heat along with other first day cover enthusiasts at Kuala Lumpur’s main post office to get the Formula One themed first day cover.

“The line was nearly a kilometre long, but it was worth the effort,” he recalled.

He said he often felt great pride when viewing his stamp collection and reminiscing how Malaysia had progressed through the years.

In the years after Merdeka, the theme of the stamps revolved around people’s unity, the merger of Malaysia and Singapore, and later on moved towards themes on development and commodities such as rubber, tin, flora and fauna.

The scope has radically changed in the past three years, covering wider themes that depict the current scenario.

There are also recurring themes such as the installation of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, the birthday anniversary of a sultan, and the nation’s independence.

“When we look at these collections, we can see Malaysia’s journey from every aspect, from independence until today. Stamps literally tell the story of Malaysia,” he said. — Bernama