DOWN MEMORY LANE: THE MASTIKA (1941-2018)

CREDIT: AI GOOGLE OVERVIEW

Mastika was Malaysia’s longest-running and most iconic magazine, spanning 77 years of publication from 1941 to 2018. It is best remembered for its dramatic transformation from a high-brow intellectual journal into a best-selling "mystical and human interest" sensation.

The image you shared is a classic example of its later era, featuring the signature bold, sensational headlines and "human interest" photography that made it a household name in the 1990s and 2000s.

1. Founding and The Intellectual Era (1941 – 1960s)

• Birth (1941): Mastika was launched on June 1, 1941, by Abdul Rahim Kajai, the "Father of Malay Journalism." It was the first magazine under the Utusan Melayu Press.
• Original Purpose: Initially published in Jawi script, it was an intellectual publication. It focused on education, nationalism, literature (poetry and short stories), and philosophy, aiming to uplift the Malay community during the colonial era.
• The Rumi Shift: In 1967, the magazine made a historic move from Jawi to Romanized Malay (Rumi) to keep up with the changing education system and reach a wider audience.

2. The "Pocket" Era (1970s – 1980s)

• Size Change: In the 1970s, Mastika reduced its physical size to a small, "pocket-friendly" format (A5), inspired by Reader’s Digest.
• Strategy: It was designed to fit into a Baju Melayu pocket so men could carry it to the mosque or read it on the go. During this time, it balanced general knowledge with culture and literature.

3. The Golden Era of Mystery & Horror (1990s – 2010s)

This is the era most Malaysians remember today. Facing declining sales, the magazine underwent a radical "rebranding" in 1995.

• The Pivot: Led by editors like Zainol Fakir and Munir Ghazali, Mastika shifted its focus to paranormal stories, true crime, and "insaf" (repentance) tales.
• Content: It became famous for stories about hauntings, the "punishments" of the grave (siksa kubur), and bizarre human interest tragedies.
• Success: This shift was a massive commercial hit. At its peak in the early 2000s, it reached a monthly circulation of over 300,000 copies, becoming the #1 selling magazine in Malaysia for many years.

4. The Digital Age and Closure (2018 – Present)

• Closure (2018): After 77 years, Mastika published its final physical issue in November 2018. The closure was part of the financial struggles of its parent company, Kumpulan Utusan, and the general decline of print media in the digital age.
• Digital Presence: In 2021, the brand was revived as a digital platform under UtusanTV, where it continues to share stories in a digital format.

Mastika's Legacy

Mastika is often credited with fostering a culture of reading among the Malay grassroots who may not have been interested in academic texts but were captivated by its storytelling. Even today, it remains a powerful piece of Malaysian nostalgia, representing a unique blend of folklore, religion, and urban legend.

C&P: Google AI: 18/12/2025: 12.37 a.m