Remembering Natrah @ Nadra (Part II) - An Interview with Datin Fatini Yaacob

Once upon a time, back in 1950, Malaya was in the FRONT page of newspapers worldwide. The story: A Dutch girl, adopted by a Malay woman, was taken back by her biological parents to Netherlands against her will. In short, Natrah @ Maria Bertha Hertogh was the country's first ever bona fide, global celebrity.

In 1989, a Malaysian journalist, Fatini Yaacob, tracked her after an extensive 4-month research done all over the globe (during that time, there was NO google, no Internet, no handphone whatsoever!) to do a story on what happened to Natrah back then. Her story on Natrah touched the heart of millions of Malaysians.

And I had the chance to interview her on July 10, 2009, together with other media friends, on what she felt about Natrah's recent passing away...AM.SO.HONORED.


I still remember reading the in-depth stories on Natrah, written by Fatini Yaacob (now Datin) in this magazine back in 1989. And they are still fresh in my mind! Now, that's what you call GREAT journalism!


Natrah on the cover of Dewan Masyarakat in May 1989. Her tale, as written by Fatini, touched the hearts of many Malaysians, with hundreds of them calling the writer crying after reading her story!!!


Fatini holding the legendary copy of Dewan Masyarakat.


With Friday's Kosmo, highlighting the news of Natrah's death in Netherlands on July 8, 2009.


Fatini recalling her story when interviewing Natrah...