The Jasmine of Kota Bharu is the tale of the trials and tribulations suffered by the Malays, especially those living in Kelantan in the early 20th century. It also details their aspirations as they face an influx of immigrants, a strong feudal power, the perpetuation of a life of labour the division of Malays and their lack of interest in education.

These issues are explored at length through dialogues between the novel’s two protagonists, Mr. Abdul Rahman and Tengku Maimunah, whi is also known as the ‘Jasmine of Kota Bharu’.

The Jasmine of Kota Bharu is the third novel by Abdul Kadir Adabi, a shrewd thinker, politician, writer of articles and creative works and a controversial son of Kelantan. The novel depicts the situation that arose during the early 20th century and the aspirations of the Malay race at the time.