Valour and Courage

Firefight in Elizabethville, Congo – Lt Lee Ah Pow PGB of C Squadron, 2nd Reconnaissance Regiment

2011-04-10T05:34:00.000-07:00

C Squadron of the 2nd Reconnaissance Regiment was chosen the second time to be part of the Malayan Special Force (MSF). It was chosen to be on a peace keeping mission in the Congo under the auspices of the United Nations. This was in June 1962. The MSF was commanded by Brigadier Mohammed Noor bin Hajji Tamin (927). The Squadron Leader was Major Asna bin Mohamed Sutan (200004). The Second in Command was Captain J.C.Rodrigues, the Troop Leaders being Lt Tan Siew Soo of No.1 Troop, Lt Tee Bua Bian of No. 2 Troop, Lt Lee Ah Pow of No.3 Troop and 2Lt Raja Hj. Ahmad of the Rifle Troop.

C Squadron had 14 Ferret Scout cars and 101 men; the accompanying Infantry Battalion was the 2nd Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (2RMR) which was commanded by Lt Col I.W. Lloyd H. Jones MC (262925). They embarked to the Congo from Port Swettenham, now known as Port Klang with the SS Blatchford, to the port of Mombasa in Kenya. There, C Squadron separated from 2nd Royal Malay Regiment and flown directly to Elizabethville to act as an Independent Squadron.

The Squadron was placed under the command of the Indian Independent Brigade Group, which was commanded by Brigadier R.S. Noronha MC (Military Cross). Other units deployed to Elizabethville were the Irish Battalion, Tunisian Battalion, Ethiopian Battalion, 2nd/5th Gurkhas, a Battalion of the Madras Regiment, a Battalion of the Rajputana Brigade which comprised of 63rd Cavalry Squadron and the 4.2 inch Heavy Mortar Company, in direct support was the Indian Airforce from Kamina. C Squadron took over duties from A Squadron of the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment, which was commanded by Major Amiruddin Al Bakri.

Elizabethville then, was the largest town in Congo. It is located in highlands surrounded by jungle. The temperatures were low and especially very cold at night. This was something not expected as every one of the Malayans expected Africa to be hot. . Elizabethville was connected to other towns by air only. To ensure that these airways were opened all the time, the UN Forces were tasked to keep the Air Port secure. The town was run in an efficient manner by the former colonial masters, the Belgians. Some destruction of basic amenities caused by two previous wars was noticeable, but they were still operable.

War broke out in Elizabethville, due to the fact that the ruler of Katanga, President M.Tshome refused to take orders from the Central Government in Leopoldville. The situation in Elizabethville was very tense. The UN laid two layers of defense around the town.

All entry points into Elizabethville were guarded by Military checkpoints; this was to ensure no one was carrying in weapons. Apart from manning checkpoints they went out on reconnaissance and fighting patrols, especially into areas considered as “No Man’s Land”. This was done to ensure that the area was clear of rebels and to dominate the ground. Sometimes they came across the Katangese soldiers; these instances just raised the tensions. C Squadron’s troops frequently went on patrols supporting the Infantry Troops of the various nations involved in the peace keeping effort. Sometimes they went on independent patrols when the situation arose due to uncertainty in some areas.

The Officers frequently attended “Officers day” which were study periods organized by the troops of various nations to study one another’s operational procedures to enhance inter operability amongst them. The Troop’s of C Squadron, 2nd Reconnaissance Regiment were frequently rotated with other troops and various places, their duration per rotation was approximately about a month. The Troops were frequently rotated so as to prevent the soldiers from becoming bored or complacent in one area, due to familiarity. This way they stayed alert. No.3 Troop under the command of Lieutenant Lee Ah Pow was attached to 2nd/5th Gurkhas which was guarding the Airport in Elizabethville. On the 12th September 1962 Lt Lee Ah Pow was ordered to escort a section of the Gurkhas on a reconnaissance mission to the north of the Airport. The area was just taken over by the Gurkhas from the Rajputana Rifles of the Indian Army. That area was about 5 miles away from the Airport.

The patrol comprised of 4 Ferret Scout cars. Lt Lee himself was in the leading scout car. Cpl M. Yusof was in charge of the second scout car, the 3rd scout car was commanded by Sgt Abdul Razak and the 4th Scout car was commanded by Cpl Edward Skading. The 4 drivers involved were Trooper Lye Tuck Joo, Trooper Zainal Abidin, Trooper Sidin and Trooper M.K.Lam. They left the Airport in the morning at around 8 am escorting the Gurkhas, whose commander was Major Gupta. All the Gurkhas were mounted in two Land Rovers for this combined patrol. The Land Rovers were positioned between two scout cars in front and two more behind. They were sandwiched by the scout cars. The terrain they patrolled was flat covered by shrub and tall grass. After conducting the patrol for around 3 hours they did not find any traces of the Enemy. As they were returning Lt Lee entered a lane which led to a junction called “Martini Junction”.

After going into the lane for about a kilometer he saw 30-40 Katangese soldiers, who tried to stop them by jeering and shouting at them. At first he was not at all worried ordering them to withdraw. They did not withdraw; in fact they surrounded the patrol of 6 vehicles. The vehicles were too close and bunched up within this hostile Katangese emplacement. The Katangese soldiers were jeering and yelling at them. After a little while Cpl Edward Skading who was in the rear reported to Lt Lee that his Ferret Scout car was surrounded, he turned around to take a look, it was true. The Gurkha, Major Gupta, who surrounded too was yelling at Lieutenant Lee Ah Pow, “Do something Lieutenant! Lieutenant do something!” This Lt Lee heard distinctly over the Katangese voices. All the Gurkha soldiers had leapt off the Land Rovers and were lying in the prone position with their rifle pointing towards the Katangese.

Lt Lee ordered the Katangese to disperse, reacting to these orders from Lt Lee, the Katangese responded by opening fire in his direction. The sound of the gunfire deafening his left year temporarily. He ducked into the turret and contacted HQ, about the problem facing him. Simultaneously he relayed orders to all the Ferret Scout cars under his command to open fire with the Browning machine gun which was mounted in the turret, if the Katangese attacked them. He further gave instructions that if the Katangese were to clamber up his vehicle, they were to fire at his vehicle and to be not bothered about his safety. That this instruction be applied to all vehicles and further to conserve ammo, not to fire blindly. The Katangese continued firing at them. As all the vehicles were too close he instructed them to spread out, this was to avoid being burnt, just in case any one vehicle caught fire due to a grenade being lobbed at them. The Katangese retreated a short distance when they saw the vehicles move out and jockey into firing positions. Before that move, they were barley 20 yards from the Katangese. To get out of this tight situation they fired a short burst of automatic fire from the Browning’s at the Katangese who were firing at them. They saw the Katangese soldiers running helter skelter from their trenches. Seeing that the Katangese were fleeing he gave the orders to cease fire.

Lt Lee was cool and controlled, he was very professional and so were his men as peacekeepers. His men obeyed him to the letter, to move when told, fire when told and cease fire when told to do so, under tremendous pressure and threat to their lives. The Katangese soldiers who fled were led by a white man, believed to be a mercenary. Without wasting time they conducted a search of the area. In the abandoned trenches they found a lot of firearms and ammo that were left by the Katangese in their haste to flee from the Malayans. They, the patrol of Malayans and Gurkhas had actually by fluke had ended up in the center of a Katangese defensive position. The Katangese were too surprised and shocked. The Katangese machine gun which they found abandoned was actually aimed directly at their patrol. They were puzzled, why the Katangese had not opened up on them when they had the whole patrol in their sights. Some Katangese rocket launchers too were recovered. Two dead Katangese soldiers were recovered, which were handed over to the UN HQ. Major Gupta thanked Lieutenant Lee profusely and promised Lee that the matter would be reported to the UN HQ. After that Lieutenant Lee reported the incident to 2nd Royal Malay HQ and then to his Squadron.

When Major Asna bin Mohd Sutan heard the initial communications between Lt Lee and the rest of his Troop, on radio, he himself got “saddled” onto his command Scout car, raced with a Troop accompanying him to assist Lt Lee. When he arrived at the Airport he saw the Indian Commander Brigadier Noronha already there. Major Asna dismounted to pay his respects to him. The Brigadier queried him on the reason for him coming to the location, to which Major Asna said he was there to assist his Troop that was in a firefight. He stopped Asna from going any further; he further ticked off Major Asna by saying that, this was not a war, that they were not there to fight a war. He returned to base and was anxious about Lt Lee and his Troop. Lt Lee arrived an hour later with his 4 vehicles. Major Asna then went to UN HQ, where he was further ticked off, that the UN Peacekeepers were not supposed to project their firepower and act aggressively.

Anyway Brigadier Noronha acknowledged that the Katangese lost large amounts of equipment due to the actions of Lt Lee. The Brigadier further told Major Asna, that he as the Commander of UN Forces in that area would accept all responsibility in relation to the firefight and advised Major Asna to go back and not spread the news of the firefight around. The following day all men under the Command of The Indian Brigade were not allowed to go out. This was because President Tshombe used the two dead Katangese killed by Malayan Forces to rile against the UN. The killing was exploited for his political mileage. All papers sympathetic to him carried stories of the firefight calling it a killing by the UN Peacekeeping Force. The newspapers carried stories saying that the Katangese soldiers only wanted peace. After that incident, the hatred against UN Forces rose, especially against Malayan Troops, this hatred was strong amongst the supporters of President Tshombe. In Elizabethville the Congolese supported the actions of the Malayan Forces.

Major Asna as instructed, by Brigadier Noronha kept quiet about the incident, after a few days he received a message congratulating and thanking him for rescuing the Gurkhas on the 12 September 1962. The message especially emphasized the exemplary role played by Lt Lee and his Troop. Major Asna was further cited to recommend Lt Lee for a valor award. This acknowledgement was rewarding as before this, MSF failed in protecting the 13 Italian Airmen killed in Kindu. After this incident in Elizabethville, all the UN Forces started looking upon the MSF with respect. Two weeks after the firefight a group of Gurkhas who were unaccompanied by the MSF ran into a “jumping minefield” planted by the Katangese. Two Gurkhas were killed and four of them were wounded.

During the funeral for the two killed Gurkhas, C Squadron was honored by being given a place of honor closest to the cremation. Major Asna was placed last, which by itself was an honor to place a wreath for the two dead Gurkha soldiers. It was considered an honor according to Gurkha traditions, just before the setting of fire to the bodies.

After a few months had elapsed during a farewell for Brigadier Noronha, the Brigadier suddenly approached Lt Lee Ah Pow and asked him, “What has happened to the award for you?” To which Lt Lee replied that he did not know, as he had given the Brigadier’s letter of commendation to his OC, Major Asna, which was forwarded to the Sector Commander. To which Brigadier Noronha responded by saying, “Lieutenant Lee, if they do not respect my rank they should at least respect my white hair. I have served 36 years in the Indian army. Tomorrow come to my office, I will give you a letter, give it to your Commander”. Lt Lee did as he was told. The letter to be handed over to Lt Lee’s superiors written by Brigadier Noronha is as below:

From: Brigadier R.S. Noronha MC
Command HQ: Indian Independent Brigade Group
Elizabethville
Congo

LIEUT. LEE AH POW, who commanded a troop of Scout Cars from C Squadron
2nd Recce MSF in support of 2nd/5th GURKHA RIFLES patrol of 12 men on the
12th September 1962 played an admirable part and showed exemplary courage
when the patrol was surrounded by about 100 armed KATANGESE
GENDARMERIE on MARTINI TRACK JUNCTION, ELIZABETHVILLE.
With a high degree of restraint and presence of mind LIEUT. LEE AH POW
deployed his troop in a position of all round defense to take on the Enemy should
they open fire, and thus provided a screen around 2nd/5th GURKHA RIFLES.
With undaunted courage and high quality of leadership he controlled his men
from opening fire until the enemy opened fire first on the patrol. Only then under
a most difficult situation knowing of the UN PEACEFUL AIM, he ordered his
troops to open fire with short bursts, in which they did and killing only two
Gendarmes and wounding one. The Enemy then dispersed leaving behind boxes
of ammunition, side arms, greatcoats and equipment. For gallantry and the
correct execution of orders and a high degree of discipline displayed in the face of
the enemy LIEUT.LEE AH POW has set a glowing example of leadership against
overwhelming odds in the eyes of the enemy and the GURKHA RIFLE
PATROL.

XXXXXX
Signature
Brigadier R.S. Noronha MC
Command HQ: Indian Independent Brigade Group

Major Asna bin Sutan recommended that Lt Lee Ah Pow be bestowed with the “Pingat Gagah Berani”. The King at that time, Tuanku Syed Putra ibni Almarhum Syed Hassan Jamalullail presented the award to Lt Lee Ah Pow on the 2nd June 1964.

Lt Lee Ah Pow was born on the 9th October 1937 in Rompin, Negri Sembilan. He was the second child in a family of 6 siblings. His father Lee Seng was a contractor in a rubber estate who was married to Mesah bte Ahmad. He got his early education at the Tsung Hwa Primary School, in Bahau for 4 years and then transferred to the Anglo Chinese School in Seremban. On his own steam he joined the Boy’s Wing of the Federation Military College, in Port Dickson. He completed his education there until he became an Officer from there. His father strongly opposed his choice of career in the Army, as his father still held strongly onto old Chinese beliefs that ‘good sons do not join the army’. The factors that made him skeptical to his father’s beliefs was the situation then, the Emergency. The other strong factor was that, quite a number of his relatives were killed by the Communist Terrorists.

For two years after he joined the army his father did not speak to him. His estrangement with his father ended one Chinese New Year when he knocked on the door of his father’s house at night. Lee Ah Pow was a Regular Cadet of the 1st Intake of the FMC. He was commissioned in 1957. Even though he was commissioned in the Federation Armored Car Regiment, he was attached to 1st Royal Malay Regiment, as a Platoon Commander on operations in Gurun, Kedah. After his return from Congo he was promoted to Captain and was appointed the second in Command of B Squadron, 2nd Recce. He was involved in the fight against the Indonesians during Confrontation in Tawau, Sabah. Throughout his career he never served in any other unit apart from 2nd Recce and in Mindef.

Soon he was a very young Major decorated with a “Pingat Gagah Berani”, he was bitterly disappointed when his early orders to become the Second in Command of 2nd Recce Regiment was cancelled and another to become the Camp Commandant of 4 Brigade, too was cancelled. The cancellation was from high up as he had disobeyed orders to give preferential treatment to a particular unit*. The second posting was probably with a bad motive from the higher ups. He refused to be intimidated. With that he decided to change his Corps to the Military Police or to leave the service. In March 1971 he was absorbed into the Military Police.

While he was an Officer in the Military Police, a senior Officer was advised to leave for misappropriation of funds, scandal of supplying kangaroo meat to soldiers was discovered, resolved the end of hostilities between the youths of Kuching and the army. All these, through the efforts of Major Lee Ah Pow, who was then Deputy Provost Marshall of the 1st Infantry Division. As his chances of getting promoted to a Lieutenant Colonel grew slimmer even after numerous recommendations by the Provost Marshall, that promotion became elusive. To avoid this pressure of not going up the ladder in promotions, he decided with a heavy heart to leave the service after 20 years of dedicated and loyal service, which was done hastily.

After he left the service he and his wife Alice Tan and his 5 children had the misfortune of losing their home, which Major Lee had bought. He could not fulfill the conditions imposed by the Military Co-operative, where all the balance of the loan should be paid up before leaving the service. He left without awards or benefits as awarded to Officers who leave the service early. That was a dark spot and one of the worst moments in his life and his family’s when they were deprived of their house. He being a man of strong character and a resourceful personality, rebuilt his life and that of his family's.

*No known details.

Reference : Pahlawan, Angkatan Tentera Malaysia, Penerima S.P. dan P.G.B. Jilid 1, Syed
Othman Syed Omar, Dewan Bahasa dan Pustaka, Kementerian Pendidikan
Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, 1993

Captain Courageous aka Mukhtiar Singh s/o Sodagar Singh by R. Nadeswaran 10th Nov 1985 from the Sunday Mail

2011-04-04T22:01:00.000-07:00

Born in India in 1932, he came to Malaya in 1939 to attend school and live with his grandparents, though his parents remained in Punjab. However, his education came to an abrupt end when the Japanese invaded the country in 1941. When the British came back, Mukhtiar was back at school, but not for long either. His uncle who worked as a watchman on Wilkinson Process in Batu Caves told him that the company was looking for another watchman. "You can go to school in the morning," his uncle told him, "and be a watchman at night." So he became a partime watchman and when the Emergency was declared in 1948, he and the five other watchman were recruited and given arms to protect the English owned company. " I pleaded with the police as I did not want to take the job because I wanted to continue my education, but the Kepong OCPD then, an Englishman, told me that the security of the nation was more important than my education. " So there I was, a young man of 16, given a gun and designated Special Constable," he said. Two years later, Mukhtiar received a letter from Punjab that his mother was seriously ill. By the time he got back to his village there, his mother had died. He did not want to remain in India and so two months later he was back in Malaya. "I was cycling along Ipoh Road one day when I was spotted by a Mr. Swan who was then the big man in Wilkinson Process. He wanted me to resume my old job but I refused and insisted I was going back to school. The following day, I was summoned to the OCPD's office where I was told that if I refuse to become a Special Constable, I would be drafted in national service and sent to Kulai for training. So I became a Special Constable again and three years later, the education bug bit me again.

I reported sick regularly in the hope that I would be discharged. I was sent to the hospital where Dr Latiff (the father of the former Datuk Bandar, the late Tan Sri Yaacob) examined me and told my superiors that there was nothing wrong with me. My superiors said I would be put in the guard room if I ever reported sick again," Mukhtiar said with a tinge of mischief in his eye. He accepted the fact that his future was with the police force and learnt to live with it. The following year, he was appointed Temporary Inspector and worked at various police stations. When the emergency ended in 1960, he was still a Temporary Inspector attached to the Bentong police station on a month - to- month basis.

During one of the many anti-terrorist operations, he had come to know one Ungku Nazaruddin who was then the Commanding Officer of the 4th Malay Regiment. By then, the Malaynisation of the army had taken place and the CO had become General Ungku Nazaruddin. Mukhtiar then joined the army as an instructor with the rank of sergeant and in 1966 was commissioned Second Lieutenant. When he retired in 1978 he was holding the rank of Captain.

Although the fight against the terrorists in the dense jungles took place some 30 years ago, Mukhtiar distinctly remembers every moment of his encounters with the terrorists. On one occasion he had to put down his arms and face an armed terrorist just to "show him that I meant every word I said." That was on Jan 2, 1958, when he had shot and injured Yap Keow Sin, a state committee member of the outlawed Communist Party of Malaya.

A chance encounter with a group of CTs in the jungle of Rawang resulted in a gun - battle and Yap who had a $20,000 reward on his head, shot in the arm, retreated to his camp closely pursued by Mukhtiar. The police surrounded the camp and one of them shouted to Yap to surrender. "How can I be sure that I will not be harmed if I surrender," came the voice from the camp. Mukhtiar told him that he would go in unarmed to meet him and he can officially surrender to a police officer.

"I put my gun down and walked towards the camp." Yap gave himself up and said: 'Lu Menang, Saya Kalah'. On another occasion, on Christmas Day in 1955, Mukhtiar was alone on reconnaissance in Sungei Buloh, near Kuala Lumpur, when he found himself confronted by two armed terrorists. He opened fire immediately wounding one, who escaped in the jungle. Seeing the other bring up his gun to fire, Mukhtiar opened fire agin, killing him instantly. Three hours later, the wounded terrorist, CPM district committee member Ho Keng Meng gave himself up to to labourers of Pilmoor Estate. Today,

Mukhtiar is a contented family man with children, but it was different when he married Pritam Kaur in March 1959. Four days before the wedding the headlines of an article in the straits times read: Bandit Fighter weds on Sunday and after the the marriage, the headline read: Police hero married according to sikh rites
The guest of honour was none other the then Commissioner of Police Mr CH Fenner, a great honour for a junior police officer whio was forced to put the nation before his education so that citizens like us could continue living in peace and harmony.

Click on clippings to enlarge. More to follow.

901370 Trooper Sigai anak Nawan - Pingat Gagah Berani

2011-02-09T05:36:00.000-08:00

After having served 4 years in the 1st Rangers Lance Corporal Sigai anak Nawan, was posted to the 5th Brigade in Sabah doing general duties.. He continued doing this for another two years. As he felt he needed challenges he applied to join the Special Forces at the end of 1970. After successfully completing his Basic Commando and attaining the coveted Green Beret, he was posted to X Squadron of the Special Forces. His first operation as a full fledged Commando was in the jungles of the Kinta Forest Reserve in Perak. His Troop Leader was Lieutenant Yap Poh Meng (200516). This troop was ordered to assist the 4th Ranger’s which was conducting operations in the same area. This troop was tasked to support the 4th Ranger’s unit commanded by Captain Mohana Chandran a/l Velayuthan (200402) who had made contact (clashed) with the enemy (Communist Forces). They were flown in by air from Tambun Camp, in Ipoh. There were ten of them who were dropped off at the vicinity of the contact. They abseiled into the area using ropes from the helicopter.

Once on the ground they were instructed by Lt. Yap to look for the enemy and also to look out for Captain Chandran’s body, who had been killed in the contact, along with the wounded of 4th Ranger’s. They successfully found the body of Captain Chandran and the wounded of 4th Ranger’s. After that, they were extricated from that area and inserted for another operation in Bukit Condong.

After the operation in Bukit Condong whilst in Tambun camp, they had to deploy to Lasah, an area in the north of Sungei Siput. This was an unforgettable operation for Sigai anak Nawan, as that was the first time ever, he got into grips with the enemy, it was a very fierce fire fight. Two Commandos, who were his close friends died in this fight, they were 19151 Trooper Rasli bin Buang and 20677 Trooper Sharif bin Hadis who died on the way to hospital due to his wounds.

Yankee Squadron under the command of Major Ghazali @ Abdul Rahman bin Ibrahim (12264) was tasked to assist a Ranger and a Royal Malay Battalion, who were on operations in the state of Sarawak. Sigai was actually a member of X Squadron but was attached to No.5 Troop of Y Squadron which was commanded by Captain Hamid bin Kusrin for this operation. 13852 Warrant Officer 2 Johari bin Hj. Mohd Sirat was the Troop Sergeant with the Section Commanders being 14666 Sgt. Selamat bin Hj. Abd Rahman for No.1 Section, 15502 Sgt Nayan bin Tak for No.2 Section and 11292 Sgt Muhamad Taib bin Husaini for No.3 Section. Sigai was in Section No.1 which was under the command of Sergeant Selamat, he was assisted by 928519 Corporal Entabah anak Ubok, 18799 Lance Corporal Mohd Ali was in charge of the support weapons group within the section.

On the 9th of May 1972, Sigai’s Troop which was in Camp Pagar Ruyong, Sibu was deployed to Nanga Dap in a Navy boat. The Troop moved from the naval base at around 1700 hours and actually arrived at Nanga Dap at midnight. On the 10th of May 1972, they moved from Nanga Dap to Ulu Dap. After walking for around 3 hours, they came across a recently abandoned enemy camp. While they conducted a search within the abandoned camp they camp across a live chicken, which they immediately slaughtered for their next meal. They also found packs of assorted cakes strewn over the place. The enemy must have celebrated the Chinese festival of Cap Goh Mei at this location.

On the 11the May they continued tracking the enemy, when they stopped for lunch at one of the tributaries about 1 mile from “Rumah Panjang Ubong”(name of long house). Before the men went into an all round defence position, Sigai approached Captain Hamid informing him that he was going to conduct a reconnaissance around the pepper plantation which was nearby. As he went on the trail he bumped into a pile of bamboo which was laid on the track, the track was deliberately blocked. He felt that in this part of Sarawak, this bamboo piled up high was not right. Curiosity got the better of him. As he arrived at the edge of the pepper bed, he found a pineapple fruit which has just been peeled, half of it had been eaten. Seeing this he cautiously moved forward. He was closely followed by 207206 Trooper KandasamyAL Maniappan, a fellow Commando. Sigai edged forward, he was in a place where the undergrowth separated the pepper bed from another plot of unkempt rubber. Trooper Kandasamy at that moment in time had the urge to take a “leak”. As he was urinating at the foot of a rubber tree, a shot rang out. Trooper Kandasamy yelled out that he was hit. Sigai rushed to Trooper Kandasamy. Sigai realized that Kandasamy was not shot, when he neared him, the tree splinters resulting from the shot had slammed into him. The enemy had fired this one shot and fled.

Sigai handed over his SLR (Self Loading Rifle) to Trooper Kandasamy and swapped it for a Sterling Sub Machine Gun, telling Kandasamy to stay put and wait for the rest of the Troop. Alone he descended from the hillock, to climb another hill in front of him. As he was climbing the hill he heard some more shots being fired by the enemy at Trooper Kandasamy. Trooper Kandasamy was returning the fire too, towards the enemy.

As he reached the lower slope of the hill, he saw a group of Communist Terrorists who were many in a state of confusion trying to pack and leave the area in a hurry. Sigai fired at one of the enemy who was rushing towards him. That was the enemy sentry who had fired at Trooper Kandasamy. He also opened up on the rest of the enemy.

He was tense and thoughts were running wildly through his head. He completely forgot about the grenades he was carrying. Had he thought about his grenades he could have wiped out the whole lot of them as they were bunched up. Trooper Ismail came running to join Sigai in the firefight. Both of them engaged the enemy in an intense firefight. The rest of the Troop rushed down to join in the fight. They had gone to the left of the hill, the Troop failed to effectively engage the enemy as they had arrived a bit late. The enemy managed to escape. When a search of the area was conducted, one dead enemy was found. This dead enemy was the sentry who had opened fire at Kanadasamy who was taking a leak at that moment in time. He was the enemy shot dead by Sigai. Another enemy dead was found at the foot of the hill. Two weapons and a large amount of ammunition were recovered.

On the track heading toward the Long House Ubong , on the left of the hill, around 59 booby traps were recovered, these were planted in the ground, forward of the enemy’s location. The enemy did not expect the assault to swing in from the rear. Had the Troop used this approach, the casualties on the Commando side would have been many. Captain Hamid to avoid casualties called off the pursuit. They then requested the help of members of the 16th Royal Malay Regiment who were operating in the vicinity, to evacuate the bodies of the dead enemy. The two dead enemies were evacuated by a helicopter from the Royal Malaysian Air Force. Along with this evacuation Sergeant Selamat too was evacuated as he was struck with a very high fever.

At around 1500 hrs the Troop left the place to conduct a follow up. The Troop was split into 3 groups, into their respective sections. As Sergeant Selamat had been extricated, the command of Section No.1 was taken over by Corporal Entabah, Captain Hamid was with this Section. Others in this Section were Sigai, Lance Corporal Mohd. Ali, 17593 Trooper Mohd Akhir bin Jaafar, 21739 Trooper Johari bin Harun, 22958 Trooper Budin bin Laham and 22784 Trooper Mohd Noor. The Troop Sergeant, moved with the section headed by Sergeant Mohd Taib. On this follow up they came across a large enemy camp which had been abandoned late in the evening.

As it was getting late and dark Captain Hamid ordered them to base up not far from this enemy camp. On the morning of the 12th May 1972, they continued with their follow up. They followed the trail left by the enemy until late in the evening. They had by then reached the upper part of the river Dap, where they found that the enemy had split up into small groups, seen by the signs left behind.

In the morning they followed these tracks up to a hill, where Sigai found a fresh sign that the enemy had only recently passed there. He found a beaten track where the root of a tree was oozing with it’s sap. The beaten track indicated that there could have been 3 of the enemy. Sigai reported this to the Captain, who ordered them to and have their food, to regain their strength as they had not eaten for a long period. This was in the eventuality they had to fight the enemy, and they needed their strength.

Whilst some of them were cooking, Sigai reminded Captain Hamid and the rest to be on alert, as the day was the anniversary of the 13th May incident where a racial riot had occurred in Kuala Lumpur. As an Iban, Sigai had very strong beliefs pertaining to dreams he experienced. He felt strongly as the previous night he had a bad dream. After all had eaten Captain Hamid instructed Sigai to lead and follow the trail of the enemy. Sigai followed the trail he had earlier discovered. At the summit of the hill he heard loud voices. He quickly took cover behind a log which lay in his path. He was amazed and shocked to see a group of the enemy at the bottom of the hill. The enemy had assumed that the Commando Troop would not be able to track them down as there was thick undergrowth between their previous location to their current location..

He very slowly retreated to the rear and informed Corporal Entabah and Trooper Budin who were nearby, Budin was instructed to go and call Captain Hamid and the rest of the Section. Corporal Entabah and Sigai slowly retreated even further so as not to be detected by the enemy.

When Captain Hamid arrived, Sigai asked the Captain, his attack plans. Captain Hamid decided that Lance Corporal Mohd Ali, Mohd Akhir and Johari to be on the left flank with the Light Machine Gun. Corporal Entabah and Mohd Noor to be on the right flank near the river. Sigai and Budin to follow him as the assaulting force. The attack was to be conducted downhill. Sigai objected to this plan, he asked how 3 of them would be able to succeed as they did not have any heavy weapons. The Captain was armed with an AR15, Sigai was with an SLR and Budin was with a Sterling Sub Machine Gun. The Captain brushed of Sigai’s objections saying that they had an element of surprise. The rest of the cut offs at the flanks will kill off the panic stricken and fleeing enemy. Captain Hamid in his quick orders failed to think of the low ground where the LMG and group were taking up position. As that group would not be able to see the enemy and would not be able to bring effective fire to bear on the enemy.

Sigai was adamant that all of them attack from uphill, that Johari can fire his M79 directly at the enemy, with LCpl Ali’s group giving supporting fire from up hill. Captain Hamid again instructed Sigai to recon the enemy location one final time. He moved out with Budin, moving to the log across the trail where he first came upon the enemy. They counted the number of enemy located there; there were 25 of the enemy. They also saw that the enemy’s support weapon was placed facing uphill towards Sigai and group. He went back and reported to Captain Hamid, who told him that, the more enemy there is all the better for them. He too wanted to take a look by himself. He came back and Sigai asked him his decision, he wanted to follow his initial plan per his orders. So they ended up waiting for Mohd Ali and his group to take up their positions. Meanwhile all of them were anxious and getting restless waiting for the orders to start the attack. They were waiting for the two groups to take up positions. The two groups had already left for twenty minutes and still there were no orders from Captain Hamid to attack.

Meanwhile Mohd Ali and his group who were carrying the LMG, tried to edge closer to the Enemy from an adjoining smaller hill, unfortunately for them, the Enemy Sentry detected their presence. He fired in the direction of Lance Corporal Mohd Ali. LCpl Ali was hit along with the LMG , which was disabled. Sigai, Budin and Hassan were still waiting for the orders impatiently for the word ‘go’ to open fire to begin the assault. They daren’t open fire as Captain Hamid promised each of them a Court Martial if they opened fire without his orders.

He was sitting there smoking one stick of cigarette after another. He did not completely finish one cigarette he pulled out another. The pressure on him was great, as the enemy outnumbered his men.

Sigai seeing his Troop Commander in this stage said, “We entered this jungle to look for the enemy. Now we have come across the enemy you do not allow us to shoot and kill the enemy. How has it come to this? It is better not to have entered into this jungle. It is better for me to quit being a soldier.” He let it all out. This was related by Budin who was beside Sigai. After which he heard Sigai swearing in the Iban language which Budin did not understand. At that moment they heard shouts that Ali was shot, the shouts were repeated.. This was yelled out by Trooper Mohd Akhir amidst heavy automatic fire. Sigai, hearing that Ali was hit along with Budin came downhill firing in the direction of the enemy. On hearing the returning of fire from Siagi and Budin the enemy fire became erratic and wild. They were far in front, away from Captain Hamid’s position. Trooper Sigai could not take it anymore, he shouted at the Captain, “Sir, if you do not move forward, I will shoot you, sir!” After that the Captain came forward. The fleeing enemy started mocking them. They were numerically more than the Commandos, and very well entrenched. The only support weapon they had, carried by Lance Corporal Ali was damaged. Even if used it would be ineffective as it was on low ground. Sigai ran towards Ali’s position, even as Captain Hamid objected to his actions, the Captain was actually angry with Ali for not firing the LMG.

As soon as Sigai arrived at Lance Corporal Ali’s location, he found that Ali was hit by the enemy’s fire. Sigai handed over his weapon to Trooper Mohd Akhir. He gave Ali first aid and moved him to a more secure place. He then removed Ali’s webbing which contained ammunition for the LMG. He took a look at the LMG, the magazine was damaged. He replaced the magazine with a fresh magazine. With this he started firing at the enemy, at the same time moving to higher ground. This caused the enemy to flee their position. After the enemy had fled, he went down hill to gather around with the rest of the Troop. He found that Captain Hamid was on the radio trying to call for artillery support.. Sigai asked him,” Sir, what are you doing, how are you going to contact anyone without an aerial.” Sigai helped Captain Hamid to fix the aerial to the radio. Captain Hamid managed to call for artillery fire, it was not effective as by then the enemy was too far away.

As the jungle they were in was dense, the landing point they constructed was not spotted by the pilot of the helicopter, it was also too late in the evening. Lance Corporal Ali who was wounded could not be extricated that day. He died at 2000 hrs that day due to the loss of blood. Sigai, felt that all these would not have happened if Captain Hamid had only listened to his advice.

901370 Trooper Sigai anak Nawan was born on the 6th July 1944. He was from Rumah Kasau, Nanga Mujan, Batang Ai, Lubuk Antu, Sarawak. He was the eldest in a family of 11 siblings. His parents were Mr. Nawan anak Kasau and Mrs. Tau anak Ngindang. As Rumah Kasau was too far in the interior, the British at that time made them move to Rumah Bunjai in Kampung Sebandi, Lundu when he was 5 years old. He derived his early education at Christ Church School, Stunggang, Lundu. He schooled until Standard 6. His early years were like other youths of his time, which were tapping rubber, helping his family to tend the farm, trading at the Indonesian border, working at the harbour in Miri. On receiving encouragement from his Uncle, Warrant Officer 2 Ninkan anak Kasau and his interest in the military he joined the profession of arms on the 22nd June 1964. He did his recruit training at the Gurkha camp in Sungei Patani. After pasing out he was posted to the 1st Battalion of the Rangers in Ipoh.

Trooper Sigai was a man of exceptional bravery, who always led on patrols while on operations, as related by Sergeant Budin. Even though only a mere Trooper, he acted with great responsibility and did not care for his own personal safety. With this he was awarded the “Pingat Gagah Berani” by the King, His Royal Highness Al-Sultan Almu’tasimu Sultan Badlishah on the 5th June 1974 for valour beyond the call of duty. He received this award on the parade ground of Sungei Besi on the occasion of the conferring of colors to the 9th Battalion Royal Malay Regiment on the 22nd March 1975. He left the service after 10 years of service. He joined the Sarawak Electricity Supply Corporation as a Security Guard, in Bintangor, Sarawak.

Re-burial for one of our brave

2009-03-06T17:14:00.000-08:00

Mission: Bringing Remains of Iban Warriors Home

Nov 6, 2008
I was alerted a week before the launch of my book by the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud. I prepared the necessary letters and documents that I wanted to hand over to him, including the shocking photographs of the grave. The Chief Minister was supportive of my suggestion to bring back the remains of the Iban Trackers and Sarawak Rangers and rebury them in a Heroes’ Grave in Kuching. However, there is a big BUT – All the next-of-kin (NOK) must give their written consent for the remains to be exhumed and reburied in Sarawak.

Nov 11, 2008
I emailed the list of Iban Trackers and Sarawak Rangers killed in action and the locations of their graveyards to the Head of Armed Forces Veterans Department, Sarawak Branch, for him to trace the relatives.

Nov 12, 2008
I extended a copy of the letter I gave to the Chief Minister to the Director of Veterans Affairs in KL and at the same time requesting for Ungkok's grave to be relocated to a more respectable location.

Nov 18, 2008
Mej Suhaila from Jabatan Hal Ehwal Veterans ATM (JHEV) called me this morning to say that they have received my letter. They were thankful and were surprised to see the grave by the roadside. They didn’t know anything about it and nobody had talked about it either. They will try to locate the next-ofkin and in the meantime, find out about relocating the grave to Taiping or Batu Gajah.

Dec 2, 2008
Apparently, the location of Ungkok’s grave was raised by the Malaysian Historical Society, Kedah Branch on April 17, 2006. In replying, Malaysian Ex-Services Association, Sarawak Branch gave the name of his nearest NOK to the society.

As I do not have access to correspondence thereon, I do not know what transpired between the two organisations.

Anyway, two years had gone by and the grave is still where it was.

Today, I called Major Suhaila of Jabatan Hal Ehwal Veteran ATM on the outcome of the letter I sent them earlier on. She told me they have located the nearest NOK, (the same name given to the Historical Society Kedah Branch two years ago).

They have instructed the Sarawak Veterans Affairs director, Major Monday, to contact the NOK and inform her of the situation and seek her approval to relocate the grave to a more respectable location. I had suggested Batu Gajah or Taiping, where his comrades were laid to rest. LCpl Ungkok died a bachelor.

January 6, 2009
I called a Veterans Affairs staff to check up on the progress...

The attempt to trace his NOK has hit a snag. The NOK identified by the Ex-Services Association of Sarawak could not be found.

I asked them what happens if no NOK is found? They said they will seek the advice of the Kedah State government on the next course of action.

So, it looks like LCpl Ungkok's case and the plan to bring back the remains of the Iban Trackers and Sarawak Rangers buried in Malaya and Singapore will take a long time to materialise.

Feb 3, 2009
I received an email from the Secretary General of Sarawak Dayak Iban Association (SADIA) sympathising and expressing their shock at seeing the graveyard of LCpl Ungkok ak Jugam by the highway in Kedah.

It is a most welcomed email from the right organisation. SADIA can apply more pressure on the Sarawak Government, JHEV and PBTM to take a more positive and urgent approach in solving and handling the case.

Feb 5, 2009
I received the good news today from Major Monday that he has obtained the consent letter from the NOK of LCpl Ungkok ak Jugam (Irene).

The letter has been forwarded to Headquarters in KL for further action.

I immediately called Major Suhaila, and told her that I would like to be around when they exhume the grave. She agreed.

I'm so glad the case is solved. The next course of actions are just procedural and administrative.

I felt a load off my shoulder.

Thank you Major Monday and Major Suhaila for helping out. LCpl Ungkok’s soul will finally find a respectable resting place where he could rest in peace.

About the Iban Trackers and Sarawak Rangers

In 1948, at the beginning of the Malayan Emergency, groups of Iban trackers were recruited to help in the defence against the Communist Party of Malaya. These Iban trackers were organised into a regimental formation as the Sarawak Rangers in 1953.

The Iban Trackers and Sarawak Rangers served with distinction during the First Emergency in Malaya, alongside the Commonwealth Forces. In 12 years of fighting the insurgency war, their casualties were exceptionally low – only 20 killed in action and 25 wounded. Their uncanny tracking skill and prowess in the battlefield had earned them worldwide recognition.

Their qualities and the number of bravery awards they received from the British Government spoke for them. They died fighting for a cause – helping the Commonwealth Forces fight the communist terrorists to prevent Malaya from falling into their hands from 1948 to 1960.

They served with distinction and displayed their uncanny tracking skill and unparalleled courage. They were acknowledged by Sir Gerald Templer as the world's best. Between them, they earned numerous bravery awards and medals, including the highest ever given to a civilian. Tracker Awang ak Rawang was awarded the George Cross, an equivalent of a Victoria Cross, for saving a British soldier in the face of enemy fire.

Their graves are scattered all over Malaya, with two in Singapore.

General Sir Walter Walker

2008-10-27T23:00:00.000-07:00

GENERAL SIR WALTER WALKER, who has died aged 88, was an outstandingly successful commander during the Malayan Emergency in the 1950s and as Director of Operations in Borneo between 1962 and 1965; later, he courted controversy by setting up Civil Assistance, a voluntary organisation which attracted 100,000 members.

Walker was one of the first to identify the importance of helicopters in modern military operations. "In Borneo," he reckoned, "one SAS squadron with helicopters was worth ten infantry battalions to me." Denis Healey, who became Secretary of State for Defence in 1964, considered that the Borneo campaign would be recorded as "one of the most efficient uses of military force in the history of the world".

Yet the qualities that made Walker so effective in the field - clarity of vision, single-mindedness of purpose, fierce insistence on discipline, fearlessness in the face of both the enemy and his superiors - also ensured that he was a highly controversial figure.

In the early 1960s his efforts to defend the Gurkhas against plans to reduce their numbers were so forceful that he was threatened with a court martial and - under threat of losing his command in Borneo - forced to apologise to the Chief of the Imperial General Staff.

In 1974 he was accused of attempting to form a private army to combat the dangers to Britain which he discerned both from without and within. The charge was absurdly exaggerated; it is undeniable, though, that he was rarely capable of trimming his views, compromising his principles, or entertaining the notion that he might be mistaken.

Walter Colyear Walker was born in India on November 11 1912, the second of four sons (there were also two daughters) of Arthur Colyear Walker, an Assam tea-planter and soldier. Family connections with the Army and India went back several generations on both sides of the family.

Walker's character was well defined even in his schooldays, at Blundell's, near Tiverton. "When I became head of the school's day boys," he recorded in his autobiography Fighting On (1997), "I found them to be a motley bunch of idle, unpatriotic, unkempt, and 'couldn't care less' type of youths. I decided to straighten them out . . . "

Walker went on to describe how he became "a tiger of a boxer" and decided "to sort out the school bullies, who received a straight left to the nose or an uppercut to the jaw if they insulted me, tripped me up or ruffled my hair etc". The headmaster, however, felt obliged to point out to him the difference between driving and leading.

Walker went on to Sandhurst with the aim of obtaining a commission in the 1/8 Gurkhas, which his grandfather had once commanded.. He settled quickly into the discipline and austere atmosphere of the Royal Military College, though he privately doubted the wisdom of allowing so much time to be spent cleaning weapons and so little on firing them. He would have preferred to spend less time on drill, and more on weapon training, tactics, military history and map-reading.

After a short attachment to the Sherwood Foresters, Walker joined the 1/8 Gurkhas. He had the first of his many narrow escapes from death in the Quetta Earthquake of 1935, before his battalion moved up to Razmak for operations against the Fakir of Ipi. In 1939 he was recommended for a Military Cross but did not receive it as the District Commander had just approved an MC.

One day on the frontier Walker had to retrieve some dead Sepoys from an ambushed piquet, whose commander had disobeyed strict instructions. The corpses had all been horribly mutilated; and for Walker this was a lesson, which he never forgot, on the importance of meticulous discipline. He was mentioned in dispatches twice during this campaign.

In 1942 Walker attended the Staff College at Quetta, which had then decided to pay attention to the Far East rather than to the Middle East as before. In 1944 he took over command of the 4/8 Gurkhas, who had been involved in heavy fighting in the Arakan.

The story of how he revived the morale of this battle-weary battalion and in two months of exhaustive re-training transformed it into the most effective fighting unit in the division has been told in A Child At Arms (1970) by Patrick Davis, who served as a subaltern in the battalion. Walker applied the lessons that he had learned in Waziristan, particularly in relation to ambush techniques, of which he became the supreme exponent. His abrasive manner and his painstaking attention to detail won him enemies, but in the ensuing battle with the Japanese the 4/8 acquitted itself brilliantly. During the Burma campaign Walker was again mentioned in dispatches and was also awarded the DSO.

After a short period on the Staff at GHQ Delhi (where he worked closely with Wavell and Auchinleck) Walker became GSO1 in Kuala Lumpur. He was given the task of training "Ferret Force", which consisted of British, Gurkhas, Chinese, Dyaks, and ex-Force 136 soldiers.

In 1948-49, as outbreaks of Communist terrorism increased in Malaya, Walker commanded the Far East Land Forces Training Centre, establishing what later became the Jungle Warfare School at Kota Tinggi. For this work he was appointed OBE.

Next, in 1950, he took over command of the 1/6 Gurkhas. Walker went into the jungle with each company to determine where the mistakes were being made. He then withdrew the battalion from operations and again put them through the ruthless re-training that he had developed in Burma. After that he once more achieved startling results in jungle operations.

The high standards that Walker demanded from his officers and riflemen became the yardstick in all the Gurkha regiments, greatly enhancing their reputation as the British Army's best jungle fighters. Nowhere was this better displayed than in the execution of Walker's Operation Tiger in 1958, when his 99 Gurkha Brigade eliminated the last 100 communist terrorists operating in Johore State.

Ten-day ambushes, laid on the basis of Special Branch information, became the norm, and Walker once ordered an ambush group to stay in position for 28 days. "My Special Branch man," Walker later declared, "had guaranteed the CTs [Communist terrorists] would come and after 28 days they came - and were killed in the swamp." For his work in Malaya Walker was twice mentioned in dispatches, awarded a Bar to his DSO and created CBE.

On his return to Britain he faced a different battle in Whitehall, where the government was reducing the size of the Army, a policy which would involve cutting Gurkha numbers by half. Walker, now a Major-General, did not hesitate to call this "a betrayal".

His campaign to retain Gurkha fighting strength was interrupted when he was made Director of Operations in Borneo from 1962 to 1965. Here, his versatility in fighting a defensive war with Indonesia along a 1,200-mile frontier with limited resources showed him to be a field commander of genius.

Many of the tactics he employed - using four-man SAS patrols as his "eyes and ears" to give warning of border incursions, flying in howitzers by helicopter to provide support fire for forward company bases and, above all, his "Claret" operations - broke rules but were devastatingly effective.

His Claret raids into Indonesian territory, planned and executed to inflict decisive but limited damage to the enemy's forward bases, only became public knowledge a decade after the event.

Walker's great slogan was "Jointmanship". He succeeded in making all the services work together, and with the local population. Though a martinet, he became known as a "soldier's general", and the best there was. To the Gurkhas, in particular, whose talents he used to the full, he was nothing less than the hero of the age.

With Whitehall it was a different story. He felt, with some cause, that his championship of the Gurkha cause was held against him - but then he made no effort to tread lightly on toes, however high in authority.

Although both the C-in-C Far East and Earl Mountbatten had recommended Walker for a knighthood, the Army Board did not approve and he did not get it. A proposal for the CMG was also rejected, though he was appointed CB in 1964.

In 1965 Walker became Deputy Chief of Staff, Army Land Forces Central Europe, in which post he supervised the removal of AFCENT to Brunssum, in Holland, after General de Gaulle had withdrawn France from Nato. Next, from 1967 to 1969, he was GOC Northern Command, at last being appointed KBE in 1968.

His final post was Commander-in-Chief Allied Forces Northern Europe from 1969 to 1972. Once more he found his subordinates, and his allies, less dedicated to their tasks than he would have wished. His command was marked by some stormy occasions.

After Walker retired from the Army in 1972, he continued to express extreme concern (often in letters to The Daily Telegraph) about the dangers to Britain. At home he discerned, not least in trade unions, "the Communist Trojan horse in our midst, with its fellow travellers wriggling their maggoty way inside its belly". For wanton lawbreakers, Walker favoured the re-introduction of corporal punishment.

Abroad, Walker warned, the Soviet empire was waiting for its moment to strike. In addition he deplored the hostility shown to Ian Smith's rebel government in Rhodesia, and attacked what he considered the feeble policy adopted towards the IRA, which he saw as a Marxist organisation inspired by Russia. "Northern Ireland should now be declared a proper operational area, or even war zone," he reckoned, "in which would-be murderers caught carrying or using arms would be subject to summary trial and execution."

In an interview in the Evening News in 1974 he raised the possibility that the Army might have to take over in Britain. Soon afterwards, claiming the encouragement of (among others) Admiral of the Fleet Sir Varyl Begg, Marshal of the RAF Sir John Slessor, and Michael Bentine, the former Goon, Walker set up an "anti-chaos" organisation, known at first as Unison, and later as "Civil Assistance".

The proclaimed aim was to create a force of "trustworthy, loyal, level-headed men", who would be ready to ensure the continuance of essential services should public order break down - as Walker considered all too likely. Though he named Enoch Powell as the right man to lead the nation, he insisted that his movement existed only to support the properly constituted authorities. There was no question of anyone being armed.

By the end of August 1974 100,000 people supported his movement, and Walker spoke of the numbers rising to three million within another month. But Civil Assistance was fatally easy to mock. Journalists wrote of Lambrook-les-Deux-Eglises in reference to Walker's home in Somerset, and in the Telegraph Maurice Weaver fashioned a masterpiece of mockery from the leader's own remarks. Britain survived; Civil Assistance petered out.

Walker persisted in his jeremiads, proclaiming in 1977 that the West's only hope of salvation lay in the neutron bomb. He undertook extensive travels to lecture on the perilous world situation - above all to South Africa, which he visited six times, and to Pakistan, where the President, General Zia, was particularly friendly. Walker published two books, The Bear at the Back Door (1978) and The Next Domino (1980).

But in 1985 Walker's active career was virtually ended when two botched hip replacement operations by Army and RAF surgeons left him in terrible pain. He faced this disaster with courage. The only consolation was that he received £130,000 in damages from the Ministry of Defence.

Even in extremis his views remained as forthright as ever. The claim of homosexuals to equal treatment caused him especial distress. There could be no place for such people - "who use the main sewer of the human body as a playground" - in the armed forces. His own recreations were listed in Who's Who as "normal". Walker married, in 1939, Beryl Johnston. She died in 1990. They had two sons and a daughter.

By the way, both sons were my contemporaries and were commissioned into the infantry, one in the Gurkhas and the other in the Royal Greenjackets.

Kind regards,

Douglas

It's a moral issue as well, says lawyer The Malay Mail October 23, 2008

2008-10-24T23:29:00.000-07:00

The Defence Ministry should have granted Capt Mukhtiar Singh an opportunity to plead his case before he was denied his pension 30 years ago, said lawyer Ram Karpal. This, he said, was in line with the General Orders, which public officers, including servicemen, are subjected to. The General Orders, he said, specifies that government servants have the right to put in representation before they are subjected to any action. “For example, if a policeman is found guilty of committing a wrongdoing, he is allowed to defend himself before he is stripped of his pension. “Was this man (Mukhtiar) ever given the opportunity to do so? This is the question that has to be answered by the ministry,” he said.

Mukhtiar was denied his pension on a technicality after he had failed to attend the “Platoon Weapons” and the “Young Officers Tactics Course”, deemed compulsory, prior to his retirement from the army. Yesterday, the ministry issued a statement, clarifying that Mukhtiar was ineligible for pension as he had not served the required years of service. “The ministry has no right to tell him that he has no right to a hearing. If you want to deprive a man of his right to a livelihood, in this case, his pension, the least you can do is grant him an opportunity to be heard,” he said.

Ram said legal aspects aside, the authorities should also address the moral issues at hand. “This is the most obvious of moral cases. People appear to have lost sight of the simple question, which is: does he deserve it? “He served the nation for 30 years, and is certainly more deserving of it than most people.” The Malay Mail

More of Captain Mukhtiar in the news and his commendations

2008-10-13T06:52:00.000-07:00

More of Captain Mukhtiar Singh in the news. Not that many soldiers or police can be this many times in the news. These news covers all his actions and his squad.

Click on image to enlarge.

Meritorious Service Medal
Click on image to enlarge.

Letter of Commendation
Click on image to enlarge.

Congratulatory Letter
Click on image to enlarge.

Testimonial

Message from the Commissioner of Police
Click on image to enlarge

The debt owed by the British to the Gurkhas

2008-10-01T18:43:00.000-07:00

Like all of his colleagues who retired before 1997, when the Brigade of Gurkhas moved its headquarters from Hong Kong to Britain, Lal Bahadur's connection to the UK was deemed too tenuous for him to be allowed to live here – a judgment overturned this week by Mr Justice Blake. But Lal Bahadur voiced no sense of grievance. He was simply happy to be hosting a young Englishman in his hut.

In Nepal, the Gurkhas are a caste apart. Their numbers are drawn from several ethnic groups who live in the Himalayan foothills, making up much of the country's population. To other Nepalis, the families who serve in the British Army are known as "Lahures", after the city of Lahore, in modern Pakistan, where Nepali men went to join the British Indian Army in the 19th century.

The British started recruiting Gurkhas after they fought the East India Company to a standstill in the Anglo-Nepal war of 1814-16. In the 20th century, they fought almost everywhere the British Army went.

They were in the trenches of the First World War in France and Gallipoli, and with Lawrence of Arabia in the desert. In the Second World War they fought in North Africa, Europe and most famously in the horrific campaigns in the Burmese jungle, where they excelled at guerrilla warfare. Nine thousand of them died, and more than 2,700 were decorated for bravery. Their officers believed that their hardiness, discipline and courage made them among the finest infantry in the world.

When walking in the hills, signs of the Gurkhas' pride in this tradition – which has continued in recent years in Sierra Leone, Iraq and Afghanistan – are everywhere. In villages and towns, old soldiers decorate their houses with crossed khukuris – the common household tool they have made famous as "Gurkha knives" – with their regiment number beneath.

Once, on a hilltop facing the Himalayas, two days' walk from the nearest road, I came on a monument to a man who had died in the village below. It was decorated with two crossed khukuris and the figure II, for the 2nd Gurkha Rifles. Perhaps, if he was old enough, the man was among those captured by the Japanese when both battalions of the regiment were trapped as Singapore fell in 1942.

Not long before I met Lance Corporal Limbu, another man known as "VC" had died in the nearby town of Dharan, which was built around an old British army depot. He, too, was a local celebrity, and the townspeople filled the streets for his funeral.

Naik (the equivalent of "corporal") Agansing Rai won his VC fighting the Japanese near the India-Burma border in 1944. "Under withering fire the naik and his party charged a machine gun, he himself killing three of the crew," his citation reads." The first position having been taken, he then led a dash on a machine-gun firing from the jungle, where he killed three of the crew, his men accounting for the rest. He subsequently tackled an isolated bunker single-handed, killing all four occupants. The enemy were now so demoralised that they fled and the second post was recaptured."

Such tales of valour have spawned a whole genre of military histories, often written by retired British officers. They have also been used as propaganda: during the Falklands War, a photo of Gurkhas queuing at a grindstone to sharpen their khukuris was released to the Chilean media. As hoped, it found its way to Argentina.

But the Gurkhas pay a price for such a reputation. So strong is their bond with Britain that they often fail to reintegrate into Nepalese life. Although they are admired within their own communities, many Nepalis regard them as half-foreign. Most have learnt useful skills, but rarely find employment in Nepal. Many set up their own businesses, or take work in shipping or in troublespots abroad.

In view of all this, the ungenerous policy of the British government became increasingly unpopular and embarrassing. As the Gurkha rights movement developed over the last decade, the Ministry of Defence quibbled. Retired servicemen formed organisations to press claims for better pensions, terms of service that matched other soldiers, and the right to settle in Britain when they retired. They took the MoD to court again and again, and in most cases they won.

The MoD repeatedly offered limited concessions that were rejected by veterans. In 2006, it was said that Gurkhas could settle in Britain, but only if they had retired after 1997. Under public pressure, the Home Office began allowing "pre-1997" Gurkhas to settle in Britain, but only if they could get here first. As the farce continued, the British embassy in Kathmandu started refusing even tourist visas to veterans, because they knew the Home Office would let them stay.

As Gurkhas typically retire at 35, most of the men who take advantage of the new ruling will still be of working age. But it will be of little help to those living in the greatest hardship. During the Second World War, tens of thousands were recruited, then discharged when peace came. Those who are still alive, well into their eighties, live in villages across the hills, often without access to roads, water or electricity.

I met one such man at the Hindu temple in Dharan. His wife was sick, and he could not afford medicine to treat her. In his ragged clothes, he had come to sacrifice a chicken and pray for her recovery instead.

There are around 10,500 old men like him who were honourably discharged, but did not serve long enough to qualify for a full pension. They receive a "welfare pension" of £24 a month from the Gurkha Welfare Trust, which relies on private donations. This goes further in Nepal than it would in Britain – but it is not enough. For these men, even a bus to town can be a crippling expense. Flying to Britain would be out of the question, even if they wanted to.

There are also longer-term problems. Some British officers complain that if the Gurkhas keep suing the MoD and winning better pay and conditions, they will price themselves out of the market.

For its part, Nepal's Maoist government has said it would like to stop foreign military recruitment, but only once Nepal's economy can support its own people. Yet while young British men continue to shun the army, leaving it perpetually below-strength, and while Nepal remains mired in crippling poverty, neither outcome seems likely.

Indeed, this year, as every year, at least 14,000 young men will be starting their training up in the hills, hoping to win one of the 230 jobs available each recruitment season. Despite its complications, the relationship between the British and the Gurkhas looks set to last well into its third century. The Telegraph

Aussie Warrior Roy "Doc" Savage in Malaya

2008-01-19T06:23:00.000-08:00

AUGUST 1963 TO OCTOBER 1965
We flew out of Brisbane Airport by Qantas Boeing 707 on the 13th of May 1963, stopping off at Darwin and then on to Singapore. From there we flew by Malayan Airways DC3 to Malacca then by road to Terendak Garrison - our home for the next two and a half years.For the first two weeks we were confined to camp so we could climatise. However, a mate of mine, Harry Muller, who had been over for just over two weeks longer talked me into sneaking out overnight into Malacca. Fortunately, I never got caught.

In August 1963, the Malayan States, plus Sarawak, Sabah and Singapore combined to become Malaysia thus starting the Confrontation with Indonesia which objected to the union of the States, especially Sarawak and Sabah which were on their border with Kalamantan in Borneo.

Most of 1963 was taken up with exercises and Coast watching. In November of 63, we did an exercise in the Kuantan area, which is on the East Coast of Malaya. On that exercise I came down with Malaria plus Monsoon Blisters. I can remember being carried down a very steep mountain on a stretcher. At about the same time that the news that President Kennedy had been assassinated, I was being evacuated back to the British Military Hospital in Terendak where I recovered in time for Christmas leave.

That Christmas, a Group of us went up to Penang by train. We got on at Tampin, which is North of Terendak, arriving late in the afternoon. We took a ferry across to George Town on Penang Island, where we made the Boston and Sydney bars our home for the stay. Penang was a very interesting Island I visited Penang Hill, the Temple of a Million Buddas, and the Snake Temple plus a lot of other touristy places. Before we knew it was time to return back down to Terendak.

On the 25th of February 1964, the Battalion was deployed along the Malay/Thailand Border, as the Communist Terrorists were still active in the area. The Company lost their first casualty whilst on this 'OP'; on the 5th of March Lt Dhobi Brian died of gunshot wounds to the head. We had to carry him on a stretcher out of the Jungle to an area where we could get a Wessex Helicopter in. This took some six hours - he died on the way to hospital. I must say I enjoyed the Operations up on the border. To me we were doing the job we were trained for.

I was, by then, a forward scout, which meant, I carried an Owen Sub Machinegun - a hell of a lot lighter than the Bren. All our resupplies were airdropped (parachuted) which was not easy for us as the Jungle canopy was quite thick. The beauty of the resupplies was that we got a big stone jar of Rum dropped into us every resupply. This was potent stuff. We used to get one water bottle capful every night until it ran out (the British water bottle caps were much larger than the Yankee ones) some of the fellers (although it was illegal) used to save up their ration and have it all at once. As I said before. I enjoyed our times up on the border, Company Headquarters was known as the border club and had a nine hole golf course set up around their hoochies, the golf stick was a branch off a tree, the golf ball was an onion wrapped in insulation tape. Company Headquarters were situated approximately ten kilometres from us.

Because we were up there so long we set up Platoon Base Camps which virtually ended up like mini villages, which we could patrol out from. Two incidents that come to mind, the first was when I was on sentry. I smelt a Tiger (you could smell Tigers up to a 100 Yards away), anyway when I spotted it, it was between myself and the platoon so I couldn't shoot at it, as I would have fired into the platoon area. I just had to keep my eye on it and wait for it to move off. This took some time, as I am sure the tiger could smell us.

The second incident was when we were on patrol. Our section at the time consisted of myself, Kel Jobson, Lofty Eiby, (section commander) Alex Swanson (section 2IC), A G White, (Mad Dog) Smith, John (Noggy) Haines, and Darky Butler. Myself and Kel Jobson had just changed over and I was acting as second scout, Kel had just stepped over a fallen log and was continuing the patrol when a Golden Cobra came up from behind the log with it's hood out standing on it's tail. It came racing at me and the rest of the section. Well you never saw men go in all different directions! Blokes were getting tangled up in "Chutamati" (wait a while) vines while all Kel could do was sit down and laugh his head off.

We arrived back in Terendak on the 6th of April 1964 and after two days of maintenance we were given a week off. On the second night off I was visiting a house of Ill repute known as the "Love Garden" when the Pommy Red Caps (British Military Police) raided the place. I took off out of the back door and headed for what I thought was a nice green lawn when “SPLASH”! I was tangled up in Lilly pads. The Red Caps pulled me out and took me back to camp where on the next day I was charged and got fourteen days CB (confined to barracks).

It was around this time that Lt Brian's replacement arrived. The Delta Company platoon commanders were now Lt Col Brewer 12pl, Lt Bludger Blake 11pl, and Lt Bob Freebairn 10pl; this was to remain the same until our return to Australia. From May until October the Battalion did coast watching, across the Straits of Malacca, My section was lucky as we had an area north of Terendak at Kuala Lingi at the mouth of the Lingi River. We controlled the mouth and just down from the mouth was a jetty where our anti tank platoon had set up a Mobat anti tank weapon to cover the mouth of the river.

In late August we were again warned for border OPS, the warning order stated that we would do a secret move up to the border to fool the CT's (communist terrorists). On the 3rd of September we boarded a train at Tampin to take us up. We had breakfast on the Kuala Lumpur railway station before continuing on our way. When we pulled into the Ipoh station, the Irish Husars band was playing Waltzing Matilda and all the Malay merchants had signs saying welcome Aussies (so much for our "secret move").

At eleven o'clock that night the train stopped in the middle of no-where and let off ‘A’ Coy. It did this several times letting off different Companies before we got off at 1230am and faded into the Jungle. Our Company was dropped into the Mata Ayer area. On this OP we used to patrol into Thailand and barter with the local inhabitants of a village for live chickens. We would swap them our ration packs plus cash. This worked well until the Thai authorities found out that foreign troops were on Thai soil and warned the Australian authorities to keep Australian troops on our side of the border.

We arrived back in Terendak during October 1964 and again after maintenance we were given a week off, I survived the week (just) without getting into trouble. However, the following week myself, Kel Jobson, Harry Muller and, Jim Baty were having a few quite beers at the Sheraton Bar when we were again raided by the Red Caps. This time I took off through a hedge and found myself tangled up in a bloody barbed wire fence, which the hedge was growing round. This big Red Cap picked me up and carried me back to the vehicle. The following day I was again charged and received 14 days CB, the charge was the same as the first. "OUT OF BOUNDS, BREAKING CURFEW, RESISTING ARREST USING OBSENE LANGUAGE," no sense of Humour those Red Caps!!!

On the 2nd of September, just before we went up to the border, Indonesian Airborne troops parachuted into Labis in south central Malaya. These troops were commanded by Lieutenant Sutikno. They were expecting the Malay civilians to help them, however the civilians dobbed them in and all were captured.

In early November 1964, fifty-two Indonesians landed by sea in the Merlimau swamps just South of Malacca. My Company was sent down to deal with them, we threw a cordon round them, 10 platoon behind a rice paddy bund leading to the sea, 11 platoon behind paddy bunds facing the sea and 12 platoon (my platoon) facing 11 platoon in the swamp itself. I was the forward scout closest to the sea. We got into position just before last light. During the Thursday night the enemy fought all night as they tried to Mortar and Machinegun their way through the cordon. Ronny Carroll (who was to die in Vietnam) got a round through his Rifle magazine.

During the night the tide came in and we had to hold onto Mangroves for just over two hours, as we couldn't touch the bottom. When the tide went out we were again chest deep in mud. I don't know whether I was more scared that night from the enemy or the chance of a crocodile appearing. There were also fish that skipped across the mud and climbed trees, hard to believe I know, but true!

During the night they moved up our Mortar platoon as well as the Australian Artillery. We were also backed up by the Saladin Armoured Cars of the fourth Royal Tank Regiment, as well as in reserve a Company of New Zealanders and a Company of Gurkha Riflemen. Just before first light our Mortar platoon (using 3 inch Mortars) set down a barrage which forced the enemy to try and break out through our platoon. Just after first light we asked for a resupply of ammunition which was brought up by the Military Police. When we broke open the boxes we found that they had sent in 7.62 Blank Ammo we were not impressed I was right as I had a 9mm Owen sub machine gun. It took another hour plus to rectify the mistake. At 11am we started our assault towards 10 platoon. We had approximately eight hundred yards to go and many a nasty words passed our way as they tried to speed things up. However if I stood up I was in chest deep mud, all I could do was to lie on top of the mud and pull myself along. We reached 10 platoon just after 4pm. It had taken us five hours to go that distance.

The military authorities expressed surprise at the Indonesians choice of a landing spot, which put them well within striking distance of the 28th Commonwealth Brigade. The prisoners were handed over to other Australians who delivered them to the Sungie Rambai Police Station.

In December 1964 the British Army offered seats on their charter flights to England the cost being 60 pounds return, I managed to get on the flight. We flew out of Singapore with our first stop being Bombay. We flew in a DC6 it was the first time I had been in an Aircraft where the seats faced the rear, anyway an hour out of Bombay enroute for Istanbul there was a very load explosion, on looking out of the right hand window I could see flames coming out of the far engine.

I will always remember the pilot saying to the co - pilot over the intercom (I think to calm us down) " Just like Erol Flynn everything you touch you F!#?* Ladies and Gentlemen we are turning back to Bombay". On the approach run we could see crash wagons and ambulances on both sides of the runway.

We spent eight hours in Bombay before a replacement Aircraft arrived. The rest of the flight was uneventful but interesting as after Istanbul we flew across the Swiss Alps. It was like a winter wonderland.

I spent three weeks in England and one week in France. I believe we were followed all around France as my passport said I worked for the Australian Government and didn't mention anything about me being a Soldier. The reason I think we were followed was that at the Nord station in Paris where we tried to get a Taxi to take us to a Hotel, we found there were no taxi drivers that could speak English. Anyway out of the blue came this Woman who sorted things out for us. After settling in at the hotel, we decided to see Paris by night - three hours had passed since we'd booked in.

When we got down to the street we had the same problem with the taxi driver. After a minute or so, the same woman appeared out of the blue and helped us again, as the time was 2am, I thought it was more than a coincidence.

We arrived back in Malaya late in January 1965. Our tour was nearly over as we were to be relieved by 4RAR a battalion, which had been raised while we were in Malaya. Rumour had it that we were to prepare to go to Vietnam as the Australian Government intended to send a battalion there. However, in February 1965, it was decided to send Australian troops to Borneo where most of the fighting was going on.

We sailed on the troop ship 'M. V. Auby'. The Auby had formed part of the evacuation fleet that tried to escape from Singapore during the Second World War, (she only managed to reach Tandjong Priok, Batavia, where she was abandoned both from lack of fuel and in need of repairs). We left Singapore on the 20th of March 65; arriving in Kuching on the 22nd, We were immediately deployed along the border between Sarawak and Kalamantan (Indonesian Borneo). The first sight of our company position reminded me of 'Dien Bien Phu' as the position was in the middle of a Valley ringed by high mountains.

Our first priority was to dig our fighting bays deeper as we had taken over from the Ghurkhas who were only small. All our resupplies were done by airdrops into the valley as there were no roads in and there were very few Helicopters, (what Choppers there were, were whirlwinds off the HMS Bulwark a British Aircraft Carrier).

It was reported that there was one enemy battalion dug in on their side of the border in front of every one of our companies. When not on patrol we lived and slept in bunkers where the rats were so bad that the RAF paradropped cats in to us to try and solve the problem. However, soon the cats started disappearing, as we believe the rats ate the cats. On the afternoon of 23 March, A coy struck an Indonesian anti-personnel mine killing Sergeant Weiland and an Iban tracker by the name of Murdah Anak Jali, Corporal Hyland and Private Lee were wounded. In April, Lt Ivey stood on a mine, which bent the prongs but did not go off. Then on the 17th of May, Sergeant Vella who had taken over from Sergeant Weiland stood on another mine killing himself and Private Downes.

The Indonesians tried to control the border area with the use of mortars between the 14th and 21st April there were five mortar attacks in the battalion area.

On our right was the British 2nd parachute battalion and on our left were the 1st Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders. We patrolled well into Indonesian territory, and if captured we were to say that we did not deliberately cross the border and request return to Malaysian or British authorities.

On 27 May, a patrol led by Lt Beale from B coy set up an ambush on the Sungai (river) Koemba. At around midday, two boats loaded with Indonesian Soldiers came down the river. These were engaged. A further two boats came in to view round the bend and these were also engaged by Private Jackson. He killed all in the third boat. The fourth boat put to shore forcing Jackson to engage them with grenades. The whole action took less than two minutes, by which time a further enemy group (which was 50 metres away) opened up with a heavy volume of automatic fire. At least fifteen enemy had been killed.

There were two more successful ambushes in the first week of June. On 12 June, enemy were sighted approaching on foot along the river. These were engaged by 7 Pl C Coy with the results of eight enemy Killed, one seriously wounded and one escaped. There were no Australian casualties. A Coy set up an ambush along an east-west track leading to the border on the 15th of June when 25 Indonesians were in the killing ground the ambush was sprung. At least 12 enemy were killed by the first burst of fire, 3 more were killed when they tried to escape. There were up to 100 enemy in the party and only 14 Australians who withdrew under enemy fire carrying with them Jack Ezzy who had been wounded by a gunshot wound to the knee. Alby Kyle was also wounded by shrapnel from a mortar round but was able to walk out.

On the night of 27-28 June the enemy attacked a police station on the Kutching-Seria road which was to our rear. On 12 July, C Coy had another successful ambush, the enemy counter attacked and were driven back the results were 13 enemy killed and another 5 wounded there were no Australian casualties.

When we patrolled across the border, support from the air was ruled out completely we could not call for air drops so we had to be self-sufficient for up to 10 days or more. On the 28th of July we were lifted by “Wessex” choppers to the Aircraft Carrier HMS Bulwark three days later we landed on the beach at Terendak.

I enjoyed being forward scout in Borneo as on the way back into Serikan I would give some of my equipment to the others so I had nearly an empty pack, I would drop off and buy two bottles of engarn (a cheap and nasty local rice wine) then I would tag on the end and come in as tail end charley, the other reason I enjoyed it was that none of the women in the village wore tops unless we were around, I always caught them off guard before they could run for cover.

On arriving in Borneo I was issued with a new rifle which was one of six being user-trialed by us. It was a M15E1 an early version of the M16. On one of our patrols I found myself waist deep in quicksand and sinking fast I quickly unloaded my rifle and stretched it out so that the second scout (Kel Jobson) could pull me out, on doing so I dropped the magazine and lost it, when I got back into Sereken Boy did I cop it for losing the mag.

The second night after the battalion arrived back there was a big fight. The British battalion against the Australian battalion all hell broke loose, the fighting soon spread all over Terendak Garrison. My roommate at the time was Massa Clarke he came home crying because no one would fight him, I don’t blame them as he was a lean mean fighting machine. The final result was 25 Scots Guards in hospital to 2 Australians.

The remainder of our tour in Malaya passed quietly. On the 6th of October 1965 I flew out of Singapore heading home, our first stop was Darwin and then on to Sydney. I had trouble in Darwin as an Immigration flight from England landed at the same time that we did, when customs saw my International Health Certificate they thought I was from the other flight, so I was detained while all the rest of the guys went up to the bar for a beer. By the time I had convinced them I was an Australian Soldier it was time to reboard to plane. From the diaries of Roy "Doc" Savage

Lt Col Robert Rizal PGB-From the Horse's Mouth Operation Jelaku 6 October 4 – 12, 1973

2007-11-09T21:34:00.000-08:00

I was promoted to the rank of Captain in July 1973 and knew my days with Kilat platoon had ended. I remained the platoon commander for the next four months, until a vacancy was created when Captain Ahmad Rafiee of D Company was posted out of the unit in October 1973. I was immediately available and was appointed by the Commanding Officer to command the company. Barely a couple of days later, D Company was deployed in the swamps of Nonok. After having operated there before, I knew conditions there very well.

I was there in early January of the same year, when the monsoon season was at its raging height. And now in October, the monsoon season was just beginning and I didn't expect the swamps to be as extreme as when I had found it in January. Based on the patterns of sightings in the area, it was firmly believed that the 1st Company of North Kalimantan Communist Party (NKCP) had established a firm base there. I was given its most likely position. Just like James Bond, I was given a mission - to seek out and destroy this remaining, elusive and largely intact group. But unlike James Bond, I was not given any sophisticated gadgets, beautiful partners and a self-destruct tape recorder.

On October 4, 1973, my Company was airlifted to a landing point (LP) in the heart of Nonok peninsular, about five to six thousand metres from the target area. No troops had ever ventured that far. The inaccessibility of the swamp had probably given the CTs the false sense of security. What they didn't know was that no obstacles, however difficult, could hold us back.

To effectively cover my area of responsibility, I broke up my company into three groups – my company headquarters combined with no. 11 platoon, no. 10 platoon commanded by Sergeant Zakaria and no. 12 platoon commanded by Second Lieutenant Zainil Annuar Ariffin (he later changed to the Military Police Corps and retired as a Major).

On 6 October 1973, which happened to be my twenty-fifth birthday, a patrol from no.12 platoon on returning to their base, made a head-on contact with a group of CTs. Thinking they had reached their base, the leading scout relaxed his guard. And in that split-second indecision, the CT fired first. The leading scout, Ranger Mohd Salleh, was killed instantly. An immediate follow up by Second Lieutenant Zainil Annuar brought him to an old, large empty camp which could accommodate 60 to 70 CTs.

Early next morning, I met up with Zainil Annuar and his platoon in the CT camp and planned out my next move. Judging by the condition of the camp, it could have been used in excess of five years. It was smack in the middle of the target area given to me.

Except for the discovery of a recent, well-trodden track that led in a South Easterly direction, we found nothing else of importance. I was absolutely certain the 1 st Company of NKCP we were after, was in the camp as recently as one or two days before.

My next course of action was obvious. We must follow the track the CTs had made.

At first light the following day, 8 October, no.12 platoon spearheaded the follow up. I moved some 1000 metres behind, while no. 10 platoon brought up the rear. We moved cautiously following the track that was consistently heading South Easterly towards Sadong river.

On 9 October, Zainil Annuar and his men came across a resting place that showed signs of recent use – most probably an overnight resting place.

As the follow up went into the third day, the tell-tale signs left by the CTs seemed to be getting fresher. Then at about 10.00 a.m on October 10, 1973, no. 12 platoon made contact with the rear guard of the retreating CTs. In the brief exchange of fire, both CTs were killed. It was obvious that the main group was not far away. As I studied the map of the area, I was concerned on the closeness of Sadong river. I knew, if the CTs could reach it before I could get to them, I was quite certain I would lose them for good. Visions of a boat waiting to ferry them across the Sadong River played in my mind.

Haunted by these possibilities, I decided to go all out to stop them from escaping across the river. After giving instruction to Zainil Annuar to make the necessary preparations to winch out the bodies of the two dead CTs out of the operation area, I continued with the follow up with my team. By 7.00 p.m, there was still no contact with the CTs. The traces were now very fresh, indicating they were only a few hours ahead of us. Darkness was coming in very fast. In the jungle, it came down very much earlier than usual. But, come what may, I had to make a night follow up. We skipped the habitual evening meal. Speed and surprise were of utmost importance now. I decided to go light and left our packs and heavy equipment behind.

Six men, enough numbers to fend for themselves, were left to guard the equipments. The night had descended and it made our job trying to follow the track almost impossible. Under day light, it was easy to see the trampled ground, broken twigs and flattened leaves. In pitch darkness, even with torch lights, it was almost impossible to see these signs. However, the constant South Easterly direction the track had been heading for in the last three days had helped me a great deal to maintain my direction.

The damp night air was becoming colder and heavier. Our tired bodies could not generate enough heat to keep us warm. We had been in the swamps for seven days now and our feet were beginning to feel the adverse effect of being soaked in water over long period. Our camouflage uniforms too, were never dry. They were stuck to our bodies like a second skin. To make matters worse, it started to drizzle at about 9.00 p.m; and as if to add salt to the wound, our torch lights ran out on us. I felt as if I had hit a concrete wall and seemed to have reached a dead end.

I pondered over the situation. Visibility was zero. We couldn't even see our own hands in front of us. Sadong River very close - at most 3,000 to 4,000 metres from where I was. The CTs couldn't be very far away. And with the thought that they could escape across the River was unthinkable. I didn't want to be haunted for the rest of my life with the failure. I was in control of the situation and it was up to me whether I wanted success or failure. I decided to push on – regardless of the zero visibility. All was not lost. I still had my magnetic compass to guide me and keep me on the South Easterly direction that the CTs had been steadfastly sticking to.

Mother Nature, too, decided to lend me a helping hand. I saw patches of glowing white lights emitted by certain fungus that grew on rotten leaves and twigs on the jungle floor. Where there they were broken by continuous dark break, that was the path the CTs had taken.

We kept on moving, very slowly in tight single file formation. I peered at my luminous wrist watch. It was almost midnight. Our limbs were numb and we were cold, tired and hungry. Our short rest became more frequent. Finally, my Company Sergeant Major, Warrant Officer Class 2 Norizan Bakri approached and said to me, "Sir, the men are tired and hungry. Perhaps we should stop for the night. We'll continue first thing tomorrow morning."

I knew the situation the men were in and perhaps shouldn't flog a dead horse. On the other hand, we were already so close to the enemy that I just couldn't give up and abandoned my effort. Besides, by tomorrow, the enemy could have been safe and sound on the other side of Sadong River.

"All right Encik, we will continue for another hour. If nothing comes up by then, we will stop for the night and continue at first light tomorrow morning." I told my Sergeant Major. I had to make a compromise.

God was on our side. Before that hour was over, my leading scout, Lance Corporal Peter Bat Wan, whispered to me that he had detected the familiar whiff of lighted mosquito coils. I didn't smell anything. So Peter and I went further forward to confirm his finding. He was right. We saw some faint flickering lights ahead. Torch lights, perhaps. It was with an unbelievable realisation that we at last, had caught up with the 1st Company of NKCP. At that instant, the drizzle suddenly turned into a torrential downpour. It was a blessing in disguise for us. It helped drowned the noises we were making and at the same time kept the CTs confined to their tents. I took full advantage of the rain and withdrew some fifty metres back, so that I could plan and deliver my orders.

Based on the intelligence assessment given to me earlier in Serian Camp, I knew there were between sixty to seventy CTs in the camp. With only fifteen men, I was numerically outnumbered. However, I had a far superior fire power as every one of us was armed with 5.56mm automatic rifles. The CTs perhaps, had a few automatic weapons. The majority of them were, however, only armed with home-made shot guns. More importantly was our element of surprise. They knew we were hot on their heels but had never expected we were so determined to even make a night follow up. The scale was therefore heavily tipped in my favour.

I divided my men into two groups – the seven-man assault group under my command and the eight-man cut-off group under the command of my Sergeant Major Norizan Bakri. My plan was simple. The cut-off group was to be in position early that night, some fifty or sixty metres behind the enemy camp, to cut off their withdrawal route when I launched the attack. The assault group was to be in position one or two hours prior to H hour at 6.30 a.m on October 11, 1973. We were in pairs and spaced out between five to ten metres apart. Alternatively, just in case the CTs would break camp much earlier, the signal to attack would the sound of firing.

At about 2.30 a.m, the cut-off group, under the cover of the torrential down pour, moved slowly and cautiously to their positions. I was told later, in the pitch darkness, they bumped into a tent!

I didn't want the assault group to move in at the same time as it was still too early. We needed the few hours to rest and get some sleep. Hopefully, we were able to recover from our fatigue, before the big task ahead.

We took shelter from the merciless rain under a makeshift tent we had erected with a poncho in between the buttress roots of a giant tree. Soaked to the skin and chilled to the bones, we huddled closed together, in order to get some warmth into our shivering bodies.

I told the men to catch some sleep, if they could. But I doubt if any of us were able to do so. With a battle coming up in just a few hours, and the enemy just a stone –throw away, who in their right sense of mind could? We were excited, enthusiastic and raring to go. After what we had gone through and worked at, we didn't want to botch it up and threw away this once-in-a lifetime golden opportunity!

At 3.30 a.m, the rain had fizzled down to light drizzles. Then, suddenly, I heard some noises in the direction of the CT camp. Ten minutes later, red lights flickered, glowed and danced in between the foliage – some fifty to sixty metres away. I realised then, the CTs had woken up – possibly getting ready to break camp early and make it to the Sadong River before we did. What they didn't know was that we were already on top of them!

They had kindled a bonfire. We found out later, they were actually cooking breakfast and drying out their wet clothes over the fire. With the CTs already awake and rain that had fizzled down to light drizzles, I realised our task of moving into our assaulting positions would be more difficult to conceal. The sight of the bonfire and the dying drizzles prompted me to change my plan. I decided to move in immediately.

That twenty metres was the longest and most difficult twenty metres I had ever gone through all my life. We were up to our shins, at times up to our knees in the swamp. Each step had to be taken carefully in order to avoid the sucking and squelching noises the mud and marshy ground were making. Each step had to be slowly cleared of leaves and twigs. Each step had to be retracted slowly and carefully from the swamp. As if those problems weren't enough, mosquitoes attacked us in swarms.

As minutes ticked slowly by, the heat from the sun was beginning to be felt. Or was it the adrenaline rush? About forty minutes later, we were in positions. I and my Radio Signaler, Ranger Md Desa were directly in front of the bonfire – about fifteen metres away. In order to get a clearer view, I moved closer to the bonfire, while Ranger Md Desa remained behind a big tree where he hid his radio set. Before I left him, I had pointed out a couple of tents visible to the right of the fire. He was to attack those tents. I would attack the ones to the left.

As I watched the CTs moving around the bonfire, I prepared myself for the coming battle - ensured my magazines of ammunitions were in the right pouches and my webbings were properly secured. I knew, in the heat of battle, I mustn't fumble and every seconds counted.

At 5.30 a.m, I began to notice the pitch dark night was beginning to turn smoky grey. The young saplings and bushes around me began to take shapes. As the light became brighter, I began to feel insecure. I was in the open with little cover from view and practically with no protection from enemy fire. There was nothing I could do about it. I couldn't move. My Radio Operator was a couple of yards behind me. The rest of my assault team was strung out to my right and out of sight.

At 6.15 a.m, the sky was clearing. Silhouettes of trees were visible against the dawning sky. The CTs had ceased to move about. I could see only two still remained by the fire. They were ill at ease and must have sensed our presence. They exchanged some words. The silence and inactivity in the camp was most worrying. I sensed they were up to something. Were they about to break camp? Could they had detected our presence and were getting ready for our attack? All these thoughts went through my mind and they made me worried. I had another fifteen minutes to my H Hour. It was too long and I couldn't wait much longer. The longer I waited the longer time I would give the CTs time to prepare themselves for our assault. I didn't want to lose my surprise factor. Convinced that it was the most opportune time, I launched the assault immediately at 6.15 a.m on October 11, 1973 – five days past my 25th birthday. I grabbed

an M 26 grenade, pulled the safety pin out, released the striking lever from my hand, counted three seconds and lobbed it in between trees, at the two CTs near the bonfire. It landed with a splash in a puddle of water to their right. To my horror and dismay, it didn't explode! Swiftly, I grabbed my 5.56mm Baretta automatic rifle and released two long bursts at the two CTs who were looking at the direction of the splash the grenade had made. Instantly, all hell broke loose.

My radio operator immediately left his tree and charged towards the two tents I had indicated earlier, shouting out challenges to the CTs and with his Baretta spitting fire. I told him not to shout as his voice could indicate his position to the CTs. But in the midst of battle I doubt he could hear me.

The jungle came alive. There were a lot of shouting and screaming in Chinese. My men on my right flank were also firing into the camp. I veered left to follow the sounds of retreating CTs. My cut-off group also fired. Sandwiched, the CTs escaped through the open left flank.

Suddenly, amidst the chaos and sounds of battle, I saw and heard a couple of unfamiliar bursts of automatic fire from an unfamiliar weapon – it sounded slower and the pitch lower. It must had been directed in my direction, because the fire from the muzzle was directly in front of me. Instinctively, I hesitated and didn't retaliate! My first thought was of my cut-off group. Could that be their fire? By the time I realised it was not, the sounds of the fleeing CTs were well to my left. I kept up the pressure, firing as I went.

As the sounds of the splashing disappeared, I stopped to check my ammunitions. I had used five of my seven magazines. I had to conserve my remaining ammunitions just in case the CTs might want to counter-attack.. As I was taking stock of the situation, I heard approaching footsteps. I drew my dagger and prepared myself for a hand to hand combat. Somehow, when it was about a couple of metres from me, the footsteps stopped. I crouched low and waited for about five minutes. Satisfied there was no one there, I decided to retrace my footsteps and went back into the camp to take control of the situation and quickly organised an all round defence, just in case the CTs might try to counter attack.

The jungle was filled with acrid white smoke of gun powder. I didn't notice it before. I met up with my assault team and searched the camp.

The camp was actually an overnight camp. There were only makeshift tents made of plastic sheets. Some of the CTs were sleeping on the jungle floor while others were in hammocks. One of the CTs killed died in his hammock.

The way they left the camp showed that they were totally caught by surprise. Blankets were strewn all over the place. They didn't have the time to pack up their belongings. We recovered about 35 packs and assorted items such as torch lights, Iban parangs (long knife), home-made shot guns and pistols, some ammunitions and even a couple of transistor radios. One of the radios was still running a Chinese program. We found seven dead CTs – four females and three males. One of the astonishing find was a talisman written in Arabic found in the jungle boot of one of the male CTs. He had, presumably, got it when he was in Kalimantan, Indonesia, when the Sarawak Communist Organisation decided to go underground soon after the Brunei Rebellion broke out in December 1962.

For the success, however, we had to pay a price. My radio operator was killed and one of my section commanders was wounded on the head.

After locating my radio set, I managed to relay the good news to my Commanding Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Philip Lee Khiu Fui, through our Mortar Platoon which had established a firing position at the fringe of the swamp. I visualised the excitement the good news would have created at the Battalion, Brigade and Division Headquarters.

Next day, I was told to rendezvous with 3 Brigade Commander, Brigadier General Hassan Hj Salleh and my Commanding Officer at a clearing some one thousand metres away from my location. The Brigade Commander wanted to personally congratulate me for achieving the biggest success for the year.

The ripples of excitement were felt as far as the Armed Forces Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. A week later, the Chief of the Armed Forces Staffs, Tan Sri General Ibrahim Ismail came down to Kuching to get a first hand picture of what had happened and to meet me and my men.

Unknown to me at that time, the CTs in the First and Second Division of Sarawak, under its Director and Political Commissar, Bong Kee Chok, were mulling over the idea of giving up their armed struggle and return to society. This was the result of the relentless pressure from the Security Forces. Bong Kee Chok was further demoralised by the lack of cooperation between factions.

He later wrote a letter to the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Yaacob, seeking to negotiate favourable terms for himself and his men. The meeting was held over three days in the residency of Simanggang and was concluded on October 21, 1973 – just ten days after I had attacked their camp in Nonok. That attack must have been the last straw for him. Subsequently, the town of Simanggang was renamed "Sri Aman" to mark the historical event.

That historic operation was the last for me before 3rd Rangers returned to its home base in Taiping in December 1973. I was given the honour to be the parade commander of the Battalion farewell parade. The Chief Minister of Sarawak, Tan Sri Abdul Rahman Yaacob fittingly took the salute. Dressed in camouflage uniforms and wearing the distinctive red mufflers around our necks, a fashion I introduced into Kilat platoon, we braved the rain. It was a resplendent and awesome sight to behold.

It had been a most successful year for the Battalion. Thirty CTs were eliminated – the highest ever achieved by any battalion in a single year. I and Lance Corporal Ahmad Adnan who hails from Johor were awarded the nation's second highest gallantry award – the Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB). Another soldier, Lance Corporal Peter Bat Wan, a Kenyah, was awarded a Mentioned-In-Despatch (KPK).

A total of twenty-one soldiers and officers were each awarded a commando knife for having killed at least one CT. This special award was mooted by Commander 3 Brigade, Brigadier General Hassan Hj Salleh, who knew and understood the importance of appreciating and recognising soldiers' contribution in the field, especially in war. He learned this from the British Army.

928133 Staff Sergeant Muit bin Ahmad

2007-10-25T22:56:00.000-07:00

928133 Staff Sergeant Muit bin Ahmad was originally from the 3rd Rangers, before becoming a Commando. He was one of my Instructors at the Unconventional Warfare Wing of the Special Warfare Training Centre during my 6 weeks Commando Orientation Course - edit

There was information from the residents of Kampung Karak Setia that there were Communist Terrorists moving in their area. The Commandos deployed into this area, with Muit under the command of Captain Ahmad bin Rashid (410336).The team of 5 men were inserted into the area very stealthily away from the prying eyes of the locals. Once in the area, they moved very carefully with their eyes wandering over every suspicious mound, bush or anything that would conceal an enemy. Their ears were listening to any possible suspicious sounds of the enemy. As they were moving, unaware, that they were actually moving into an enemy ambush. Suddenly there was a burst of firing, hitting one of the Commandos in the leg.

The firing of the enemy upon the Commandos gave away their location. An immediate assault was launched, which the enemy least expected. It was at close quarters, no quarter was given nor asked. It was a very fierce encounter. The enemy fled leaving behind two of their dead. There were no fatalities among the Commandos apart from their wounded. This incident took place on the 9th of December 1974.

After the above incident, the Commandos received some information from the Special Branch of Bentong about enemy activity in the Bentong District. He along with 650912 Lance Corporal Abdul Kadir bin Mahamudin, 302177 Lance Corporal Kamarul Ariffin bin Mat Johan, Trooper Manaf bin Ahmad and 208350 Trooper Samaon bin Samian deployed into the area. They wore civvies disguised as surveyors using a survey land Rover. They had all the equipment of a land survey team. They moved with the Rover to the River Chetang, in Raub, in the state of Pahang. After conducting his reconnaissance with his men he came to the conclusion that there was definitely enemy activity in that particular area. He recommended to the Special Branch that they arrest a rubber tapper, who was Chinese seen working in that area.

The rubber tapper was arrested by the Special Branch and interrogated; he eventually admitted that he was in touch with the Communist Terrorists who were operating in that area for the past two years. He was supplying food to them. Apart from that he was also trained by them to use explosives and trained to lay booby traps to inflict casualties on the Security Forces.

All the information obtained by the Special Branch were passed on to the 4th Infantry Brigade Headquarters. Further instructions and orders were given to Muit and his team. The collaborator (rubber tapper) was turned over to become an informant for the Special Branch. The informant was allowed to continue supplying the Communist Terrorists with food and information (harmless). This went on for three times.

After which Muit, with 5 others led by Captain Ahmad bin Abdul Rashid and with an additional support of a Mr. Chan (Liaison Officer of the Joint Command) deployed to the informant’s house to set up an ambush. They moved in the Military Intelligence Officer’s unmarked Land Rover at around 0200 hrs on the 4th of August 1976.

They were to conduct “Operation Murai (Magpie)” They were dropped off at the Bentong – Raub road, to continue their journey to the house of the informant on foot. The house of the informant was located in a rubber small holding, around 1000 meters from the drop off point.

The Communist Terrorists were expected to collect their supplies that day in the afternoon. As the operation was for a short duration they did not carry rations for more than one day. They were given “ketupat” (compacted rice cakes) and “rendang” (spicy beef). The enemy did not turn up at the expected time, they had limited food. They decided to stretch the food, which in turn got spoilt. Anyway to make their hunger pangs go away, they ate the spoilt food.

Not only were they lacking in food, they also did not have any chance to sleep. The dateline for the enemy to show up had passed, now there was tension and the expectation of the enemy to turn up at any time. They waited in that ambush position for two whole days. Captain Ahmad contacted Brigade Headquarters requesting permission to abort the continuation of the ambush via his radio set. Unfortunately for him he could not establish contact with HQ.

As Muit was discussing in the room with three of his men, at around 1230 hrs on the 6th August 1976, the informant knocked on the door saying that two Communist Terrorists had arrived and were making their way to his house. Muit quickly knocked on the wall adjoining his room where Captain Ahmad was and informed him to be ready. Captain Ahmad unfortunately mistranslated the signal from Muit and did not do anything. He assumed that some civilians were moving about to look for durians (fruits) as it was the durian season.

When the enemy was near the informant’s house, the informant went out and invited them in. The enemy asked him in Chinese whether he had bought the supplies required by them. The informant informed them that he had already acquired the supplies wanted by them and was inside his room. The enemy then asked him if there was any balance of the money given by them to him. He told them that he had a balance of RM$1.30 (USD $0.37). The Enemy then instructed him to return the money. He told them to wait awhile saying that he would get them their money which was in the room, asking them to make themselves comfortable by sitting at the round table in the kitchen. Meanwhile Captain Ahmad did not know what was happening.

According to the orders received by this group of Commandos, they were to take the Enemy alive. This was with the intention of gathering more intelligence. As the informant went into the room, one of the enemies followed him. They went into the room where Muit was. Having heard the Enemy following the informant into the room, Muit quickly moved behind the door of the room. As soon as the Enemy stepped into the room, Muit aimed his rifle which was cocked (locked and loaded) at the Enemy’s head and said, “You, do not run, put your hands up” (Lu jangan lari. Angkat tangan). The Enemy being surprised exclaimed, “Ayaaaaa!” He suddenly reached out and banged the barrel of the M16 down; he fell when he did this into a sitting position. Since the Enemy disobeyed the command from Muit, he let loose with his M16 at point blank range. The Enemy fell dead.

Captain Ahmad on hearing this kicked open the door of his room, started firing at a figure seated in the kitchen. The burst of fire hit the second enemy in the leg, Muit by which time came out and shot at the second enemy, hitting the enemy in the head. The enemy fell dead.

Once the firing stopped they went into the all round defence position, after which they conducted a search around the house. When Muit examined the bodies of the dead enemy, each of them was armed with a pistol. The pistols were cocked and ready to be fired.

Captain Ahmad made contact with Brigade Hq and informed Hq of the successful kills. After a couple of hours the Brigade Commander himself turned up, who was Brigadier General Wan Ismail bin Mohd Salleh (8273). He came to the location with his Land Rover. He was followed by others who acted as his escort. The Unit Combat Intelligence Squad of 5th Rangers was given the task of tracking down the remnants of this group. Sergeant Muit’s group was pulled out of the area. The enemies killed were Lum Kok Meng (IC No. 514897) and Kai Choon@ Mai Kai Choon (IC No. 7556286). Their bodies along with the informant were evacuated to Bentong, to be handed over to the Special Branch.

Staff Sergeant Muit was born on the 26th December 1944 at Kampung Pulau, Durian Tunggal, Malacca. He was the second child from a family of two. He finished his schooling until Primary 6 at Durian Tunggal. Mr. Ahmad bin Adam, his father did not encourage nor discourage him from his chosen path in the military. He joined up as a recruit, when the 3rd Rangers was being formed. He was 23 years old on the 7th October 1965 when he joined the Army. He was awarded the ‘Best Recruit Award” and the “Champion Shot’ for that intake of recruits in 3rd Rangers. He received the award from the Deputy Prime Minister, who was also the Defence Minister, the Honourable Minister Tun Hj Abdul Razak bin Dato’ Husien, at the passing out parade at Camp Suvla Line, Ipoh in Perak. Immediately after his passing out he was sent on a Cadre course after which he was promoted to a Lance Corporal, after a year and a half he was promoted to a full Corporal and transferred to 6th Rangers. After 2 years of service Muit got married to Zainab binti Jantan. He served in the Rangers for 6 years.

Muit being a very adventurous person decided to become a Commando after passing his Basic Commando course which only a handful pass on the 21st September 1971 at the age of 30. He has participated in numerous operations, successfully eliminating many of the nation’s enemies. He was awarded the “Pingat Gagah Berani” by the King for valour. He finished his service with the rank of a Staff Sergeant, he has 3 children.

The Red Hackles Gather During the book launch of two of her sons Lt Col Linus Lunsong Janti and the late Lt Col Kassim Abdul Kadir

2007-07-13T04:02:00.000-07:00

The gathering of the Red Hackles is very significant for the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Malaysian Rangers. 3 Rangers are known as "The Red Hackles". Serving and non serving all ranks get together annually. The venues change to various compass points in Malaysia. The Red Hackles group is a sort of a club comprising of ex 3 Rangers. They have a committee to organise the annual get together. They are around 20 years old. For this year the organising chairman was Lt Col (Rtd) Baldev Singh.

Here is a slide show of the event :

The gathering was held at the Hotel Seri Malaysia in conjuction with the book launch. This get together was not the coming together of the men only but included the wives and children of both serving and non serving soldiers. This function was done over a 3 day period starting with visiting the old battle grounds where they had fought the enemy, and where their comrades fell. It culminated with the launch of two books followed by dinner. They were given logistical support by the 2nd Battalion Royal Ranger Regiment and the 9th Battalion Royal Ranger Battalion for this do.

Here is a video clip on the gathering and the launch of the books :

The book on Lieutenant-Colonel Linus Lunsong Janti and Lt Col Kassim Abdul Kadir was launched on the 16th June 2007. The wife and children of the late Lt Col Kassim were in attendance to grace the occassion.

Patrick Augustine – Soldier Extraordinaire

2007-06-08T05:07:00.000-07:00

After the battalion returned to Wales in 1957, Augustin left the Security Forces and became a sales representative for office equipment. Soldiering was still in his blood, it was a matter of time before he signed up with the Territorial Army as a volunteer. In 1960, the 23 year old was commissioned as an officer in the 2nd Selangor Battalion. Two years later, he joined the 1st Battalion Singapore Infantry Regiment. “We were often referred to as Ang Tow Peng, meaning red headed soldiers, because the bush hats we wore had red piping around it.” By this time he was married to longtime sweetheart Sharon Lim whom he met when he was 15 and still a student. “ I spotted this cute China doll outside the Rex cinema in Kuala Lumpur after school one day in 1952. It was love at first sight. We lost contact after a while and later met up again. We married in 1962.”

The marriage produced three children, 33 year old Fitzgerald, a partner in a legal firm, 29 year old Chairmaine of TV3’s Muzik-Muzik fame some time back and 23 year ols Shawn who is awaiting the results of his law exams.

Sharon 57, runs her own real estate business after she opted for early retirementfrom the teaching profession in 1985. Reminiscing further on his years in the army, augustin recalls that in 1963, when Malaysia and Singapore merged, he was posted to the Port Dickson Garrison and Recruit Training Centre as an instructor.

His hard work paid off because a year later, he was appointed Company commander, with 444 men, comprising of officers, non-commissioned officers and recruits under his command. Happy memories of this period include his commanding the largest passing out parade of 3,000 personnel in 1966.

“The passing out parade was usually commanded by a Captain or Major, so it was a real honour when I was picked to command it,” he says.

In 1967, he was posted to the 4th Battalion Royal Ranger Battalion as the Unit’s Intelligence Officer, and also as the 2IC of a Company. In april that year he was appointed the Military Intelligence Officer of Selangor and attached as staff Officer to the Selangor Special Branch HQ. In early May 1969, when things were brewing in Kelantan, he was appointed MIO of Kelantan.

“The last appointment was held by a British Officer who had died of a heart attack. It was at this time that communist activity had reared its ugly head in Kelantan. During the May 13th riots, I was recalled back to Bukit Aman.”

Back in Kelantan in late May, Augustin had to deal with the 10th regiment of the Communist Party of Malaya which had infiltrated the state. He looks back with pride at his team’s successes in combating the infiltration.

“Prior to May 1970, for more than 11 years, the country did not have much combat success, but in May 1970, we got our first three kills, five surrenders and two captures. We also recovered their food dumps. After several confrontations with us the enemy retreated to South Thailand.”

Flushed from this success, Augustin was dismayed to discover a month later, enemy documents indicating a plot to abduct his son Fitzgerald who was then five. Overnight he drove his family back to Kuala Lumpur, where he was subsequently appointed MIO of Selangor, at the same time becoming a visiting lecturer at the National Special Branch School in Kuala Lumpur. A later appointment as Staff Officer 3 Intelligence West Malaysia resulted in him attending a course in 1971 at the School of British Service Intelligence in the United Kingdom together with students from 13 countries worldwide. “We studied strategies in intelligence work, security and counter espionage.”

For his valiant efforts in Kelanatan, in 1972, he was “Mentioned in Dispatches” and was bestowed with the “Keputusan Perutusan Keberanaian” by his Majesty, the King. This was an honour in recognition of his bravery. Other awards he has received are the AMN (1972), PJK (1979) and the DPMJ which carries the title Datuk (1980). In 1989 he was appointed a Justice of Peace. After he resigned his army Commission in 1973, Augustin took up the post of First Chief Security Officer of the Kuala Lumpur Hilton. This marked the beginning of his entry into the corporate sector. In the course of the next few years, he became personnel and industrial relations manager in various organizations, among which was the Toray Pen-group of Companies.

In 1984, he became the company’s group personnel manager and was subsequently appointed executive director of the group. While at Toray he initiated scholarships for research at USM and UM.

“Upon retiring in 199, we stopped the scholarship and initiated the Malaysia Toray Science Foundation with a RM$4 million base. This foundation aids research in the fields of science, education, innovation and environment.”

In 1991, Augustin joined MBF as senior vice-president of group human resource development and protection, and then moved on to head the group’s special security projects in the capacity of senior vice president.

In June 1993, he resigned from the post and joined Wira Security Services as Chief General Manager. He retired last March. Today, Augustin sits on the board of Directors of the Malaysian Assurance Alliance Berhad and has several offers to chew upon. The free time he has on hand he devotes to reading and visiting non-built up areas like Kuala Pilah, Jelebu and Fraser’s Hill for recreation. “ I like to read books on jungle warfare and survival as well as those about labour laws. British author Noel Barber is one of my favourites.”

“ I have never played gold,” he says. “Not even when I was offered cheap membership while stationed in Port Dickson. Those days, many people played golf not for recreation but to rub shoulders with VIP’s. I don’t believe there is any necessity to do this. Fawning on someone is so phoney. I believe in telling the truth, even if it doesn’t sit well with superiors. At the end of the day, truth wins.”

He is also intolerant of misconduct and non-enforcement of policies that are meant for the good of the majority. He subscribes to the Special Air Service motto which read: “Who Dares, Wins.” “ I believe in this a hundred percent.”

End

The above interview was Dato’s last and it appeared in The New Starits Times in 1997. On the 1st February 1999 Datin Sharon passed away and one year and three months later Dato passed away. Dato was devastated after the death of datin.

Information has it that Dato was the first MIO taken form the Royal Ranger Regiment and since Dato’s success was the first in many years it can be said that it was therefore a Ranger Officer who in his capacity as MIO that obtained the results.

Dato was also the first core group of Intelligence Officers that were grouped even before the inception of the Intelligence Corps.

Death in Mogadishu

2007-04-29T06:56:00.000-07:00

*Postscript: I forgot to tell you a few more details that you might be interested in:

- Warrant Officer Hare (NZ) was newly assigned to U2, Captain Sen was an operation staff officer and they were in the patrol to have a familiarization tour of the area;

- Captain Sen was slightly wounded on his face during the fight as Colonel Vezzalini was at his arm;

- The day of the repatriation of the bodies of the Malaysian killed during the action Colonel Vezzalini was in the airport to honor the heroes. I was not there because I was in the Pakistani field hospital under surgery for removing one bullet from my shoulder.

- The Malaysian troops assigned to U2 duties were daily patrolling in the most dangerous and remote area of Mogadishu. That was the first time in one year, that our patrol included people that was not from the U2 Human Intelligence Team

Ferdinando SALVATI
COL IT A
D/Cos Training and Readiness
NATO SOF Coordination Centre
DSN: (314) 423-8286
Commercial: (+32) (0)65-44-8286
Cell: (+32) 478-677-617
ferdinando.salvati@nscc.bices.org

The day was a blistering hot day, the rainy season had just ended, leaving tufts of green mingled with garbage along the narrow streets of Mogadishu, on the 18th of July 1994. It was like any other day. It was a mixed bunch of Italians, a New Zealander and Malaysians. This team consisted of 3 Officers and 10 Other Ranks. They were on a patrol. The Malaysian Commander, Major Len Olivero did not know that this patrol for the Malaysians was not led by an Officer. His explicit instructions were that all Malaysian involvement was to be led by a Malaysian Officer. In this case a Captain Rizal was to be involved, unfortunately for reasons beyond comprehension he did not participate in this patrol.

There was this Staff Sergeant Azman Mohamad Tahir from the Malaysian Special Forces Regiment from Malacca and Corporal Ghani anak Binjoi from 6th Rangers who was from Kampung Koran Mawang in the district of Serian. There were two companies from 6th Rangers and a Troop of Special Forces guys attached to 7th Rangers (Mechanized). Corporal Ghani had a wife whose name was Dora anak Buki, both of them were blessed with 3 children, one aged 6 years old, another aged 3 years old and the youngest 7 days old, born about 7 days ago on the day Corporal Ghani went on this patrol.

The man who led this patrol was an Italian Colonel, he was Colonel Fulvio Vezzalini, a very experienced soldier. In conducting patrols for information gathering and intelligence there were restrictions; UN patrols could not go beyond Bakara market, the site of “black hawk down”. That rule did not apply for intelligence gathering activities.

Beyond that no UN personnel were allowed to conduct patrols as there were many armed militia consisting of the Hawadle and Habar Gidir clans. Both of them being rival clans, clashed constantly. More so the Habar Gidir clan was jealous that the building rented by the UN for Malaysian soldiers was from the Hawadle. The Hawdle got paid by the UN and the Habar Gidir was not. The convoy moved slowly, it drew the attention of the Militia there. The first group of Militia that spotted the convoy alerted the rest of the militia strong points.

It was about 0900+ hrs when Major Len noticed a UN convoy of soft skinned vehicles (non-armoured) passing his location which was K4. He rushed down to check with his sentries whether the boys in that particular patrol were his. The sentries confirmed to say that they belonged to Bravo Company of 6th Rangers. They could specifically identify Ranger Martin as he had waved to them as he was passing.

There were 3 vehicles that made up this convoy. Major Len immediately radioed back to UNOSOM Hq to get some more information on the convoy that went past K4. Lieutenant Sulaiman, a platoon commander of Bravo Company who was on duty at UNOSOM Hq informed Major Len that the convoy was being led by an Italian Colonel, who was the Commander of U1, an intelligence gathering apparatus. The Colonel had requested for an escort to gather Intelligence of some sort, which everyone thought only he knew. Apart form manning K4, a strong point, Major Len’s men provided escort services for UN contingents.

Strong Point 4 was located at a roundabout which was connected to 4 routes Afgooyee -Lenin-Medina-Gesira Street. There were two buildings in K4, one facing the North and another facing South. Before the Malaysians occupied it the Bangladeshis were the previous tenants. The Malaysian contingent took over duties from the Bangladeshis on the 17th April 1994. The area was secured by two rifle company platoons from 6th Rangers, the Company was later declared to be known as ‘D’ Company. It had two detachments of 106 mm recoilless guns, along with two IFV’s equipped with 20mm Oerlikon guns to support them.

The area around K4 was one of the tensest places in all of Mogadishu. There used to be fierce gun battles around K4 since the 14th April 1994. The Bangladeshis were just not equipped to maintain K4. The increase in tensions was contributed by the increase in the number of Technical’s in that area.

This made Major Len reinforce his location. The surrounding buildings were concrete and close. The defence of K4 called for the defence from two buildings. Since taking over that location from the Bangladeshis, many stray rounds and mortar rounds landed in and around the strong point. On the 18th May 1994 at around 2100 hrs an RPG round penetrated one of the buildings, into the accommodation of Major Len’s boys. Fortunately no one slept early that night, thus there were no fatalities. Staying at K4 is likened to Chinese New Year festivities where huge amounts of fire crackers are lit.

Major Len Olivero had the unenvious job of commanding it. Len being in K4 for many months knew that it was against UN Forces Standard Operational Procedures to go further than K4, as the infamous Bakara market of “Black Hawk Down” fame was just a kilometer plus from K4. That area beyond K4 was very volatile with Militias having a free reign over that area. Major Len did not know that Intelligence operatives were not restricted by this rule.

Major Len then thought to himself, that the Commander of the Convoy must really know what he was doing or that he was foolishly taking a big risk. He pushed the thoughts of the patrol to the back of his mind He then went on doing his daily routine without giving further thought about the convoy any more.

After having the normal evening games of football and “sepak takraw”, these were games to keep the boys of Bravo Company fit in a very confined area in a war zone. Soon the games were over, Major Len went to have a shower, he went to his sentries to inquire about the convoy, which was subconsciously lingering in his mind, to his horror, the sentries informed him that the convoy had not returned and the time was already 1730 hrs (5.30pm). Major Len’s instructions to all his boys were that they advise whoever they are escorting, that they must return to base by 1700hrs. The reason for this directive was that it gets dark early in Mogadishu. The likelihood of ambush towards dusk was a high probability, especially in Mogadishu’s closely built up area.

Staff Sergeant Azman was driving the UN white Toyota pickup, he tried avoiding the potholes filled with water, he had to slow down; on the left of them, in front, he passed a Militia strong point when a .50 calibre machine gun belonging to the Somali Militia opened up. The rounds thudded through the sides of the Toyota pickup (left hand drive) and slammed through Staff Sergeant Azman’s body like a hot knife through butter. He died instantly. Corporal Ghani instantly opened fire in the direction; the .50 calibre machine gun had fired, with his M16, after exhausting the entire rounds in his magazine he took out his M79. He tried to live up to the proud traditions of the Rangers. There were too many of them and they closed up all around the pickup very fast.

The armed militia men started firing from the crowd of old men women and children. Ghani tried, desperately to fight then off, unfortunately the rest of the mixed patrol of different countries were not able to assist him. Ghani hesitated because of this screw-up, one of the Somalis yanked the rifle from his hands and another pumped some rounds into Corporal Ghani’s head. He fell down dead. The Italian Colonel, the two Italian Captains, the New Zealand Army Warrant Officer, the rest of the Malaysians and the sole Malaysian Intelligence Officer were taken prisoner. The bodies of the two Malaysians were seized. Colonel Fulvio Vezzalini, the two Italian Captains were captured along with the New Zealand Warrant Officer.

The women and children started looting the equipment of the patrol. The weapons and the vehicles were seized by the Somali gunmen. In that incident two Malaysians were killed, the wounded were Sergeant Zaidi bin Hanafiah, Malaysian Special Forces (under command of Major Len), Lance Corporal Ahmad bin Ab Rahman, Malaysian Special Forces (under command of Major Len) and Ranger Martin anak Regip (Major Len’s boy). The other person wounded was Captain Ferdinando Salvati from Italy.

The ambush position was well covered. There was an 8 feet wall which blocked any avenue of escape and limited cover from fire. The Colonel and the men were interrogated by the Somalis. They were moved from house to house. The gunmen told the Colonel that he would probably be questioned by General Farah Aided. The reason for the attack upon the convoy as related by the Colonel was that the Somali gunmen had mistaken them for Americans and had opened fire. The fact was all Americans had withdrawn on the 31st March 1994, leaving a token few amounting to a platoon plus (30+ men) to take care of the American Embassy in Mogadishu. The Americans had actually stopped patrolling the streets of Mogadishu since after the “Black Hawk Down” incident on the 3rd/4th October 1993. Patrolling was done by Malaysian Forces only.

Meanwhile Major Len, who was feeling very uneasy by then, radioed back to his Company Hq (University Mogadishu compound), hoping that his boys were back. HQ informed him that his boys were not back. He then got into touch with his Platoon commander, Sulaiman who was on duty at UNOSOM Hq, who also happened to be the Duty Officer. He instructed Lt Sulaiman to find out about the status of the patrol from the other UN resources. His next avenue of information was from Bravo Company of 7th Rangers (Mechanized), via Major Christopher Joseph who was the Officer Commanding, after a short conversation he was instructed to cease all discussions by a pen pushing senior officer, as the senior officer felt irritated, that it was idle chatter.

Lt Sulaiman meanwhile was frantically contacting officers from other contingents who too were on duty at UNOSOM11 Hq. It was of no avail, no one knew anything about the patrol led by the Italian Colonel. Lt Sulaiman after much trying, radioed back and reported that he could not get anything on the patrol to Major Len Olivero.

As no information was forthcoming Major Len resignedly went for dinner and told his boys in K4 to say a prayer for all the UN guys in that particular patrol. He visited the sentries before retiring to bed, as he was exhausted physically and mentally. At about 0010 hrs a sentry knocked on his door saying that there were some Somalis that wanted to talk to him. He dressed up and went down, there he saw the Italian Colonel. The Italian Colonel informed him that his patrol was ambushed and that two Malaysian were dead, two seriously injured (stretcher cases). Along with the Italian Colonel was the Malaysian Intelligence Warrant Officer. Major Len who just awoke was in a state of confusion, his mind was reeling with the words of the Italian Colonel, “we have got to save them”.

Major Len then went to meet the Somali Elders who had accompanied the Italian Colonel. The Elders told him that he could take a few soldiers to bring back the dead, the wounded and the prisoners. That they would not be allowed to bear arms, they had to recover their men unarmed. He considered that they were Rangers and that they did not need fire arms to prove to people how good and fearless soldiers they were. So, after a rough calculation, 2 dead and 2 stretcher cases, he needed 8 for stretchers (good terrain so 2 per stretcher), another 3 to help the walking wounded and himself to command the group. There were no Somalis, there was no information and no feedbacks as the Somalis around K4 had shut down their ramshackle stalls and fled the scene as they were terrified that the Malaysians would indiscriminately retaliate against them. They walked unarmed towards Bakara Market and as they passed each alley that came to a main road, there was a Technical (a vehicle mounted with a .50 gun), indicating that the Somalis were scared shit of the Malaysians, as they were expecting severe retaliation.

On the 19th of July 1994 at around 0300 hrs the bodies of the two soldiers who fell and the captured UN personnel were handed over to Major Len and his entourage of unarmed soldiers.

A casual dining area was cleared in K4 to place the bodies, in the patio of the building. An armoured ambulance along with a heavily armed escort was sent by MALBATT 11 to recover the dead, the wounded and the captured.

The men involved in this tragic incident were:
1. Colonel Fulvio Vezzalini - Italy
2. Captain Ferdinando Salvati - Italy
3. Captain Emilio Sen - Italy
4. Warrant Officer Hare Kent - New Zealand
5. Warrant Officer Mohamad Baharom - Malaysia (Intelligence)
6. Staff Sergeant Azman Mohd Tahir -Malaysia (MSSR)
7. Sergeant Zaidi Hanafiah - Malaysia (MSSR)
8. Corporal Ghani ak Binyoi - Malaysia (Rangers)
9. Lance Corporal Bakar Selamat - Malaysia (Rangers)
10. Lance Corporal Ahmed Ab Rahman - Malaysia (MSSR)
11. Ranger Adnan Abu Bakar -Malaysia (Rangers)
12 Ranger Gerry ak Tugan - Malaysia (Rangers)
13. Ranger Martin ak Regip - Malaysia (Rangers)

*Postscript
This was something interesting I found on the net, for easy reading I extracted from this link below as the material in it was very long. I copied only the relevant parts. It is in Malay, my apologies to my “English speaking only“readers. I will not translate this. If you understand it, ok, well and good. It is for us, Malaysians to ponder on the sacrifices, rewards, promises and politics. Just remember the kind of people you want to vote for during the next election. I do not know what was the outcome of the events below and I do not want to speculate.The PDF file below will take a long time to download, as there are 217 pages.

Extract Parliament's proceedings in PDF format.

Tuan Richard Riot Anak Jaem [Serian]: Terima kasih, TuanPengerusi. Saya merujuk kepada B.25, Butiran 020000 Bantuan Bersama.
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Kalau kita ingat tiga tahun yang lalu, iaitu pada tanggal 18 Julai 1994, dua orang anggota tentera kita yang berkhidmat dengan Pasukan Pengiring Keselamatan Markas Unosom II di bawah Panji Pertubuhan Bangsa-bangsa Bersatu (PBB) di Somalia telah terbunuh dalam satu serang hendap di Mogadishu. Seorang dari dua orang yang terbunuh itu ialah Koperal Ghani anak Binjoi dari Rejimen VI, Renjer Diraja yang berasal dari Kampung Koran Mawang iaitu sebuah kampung di daerah saya, Serian. Saya mengambil kesempatan ini untuk mengucapkan berbanyak-banyak terima kasih kepada kerajaan khususnya kepada Angkatan Tentera Malaysia kerana amat prihatin dan telah mengambil berat akan kebajikan keluarga yang telah ditinggalkan oleh mendiang, iaitu seorang balu berusia 33 tahun waktu itu dan tiga orang anak.

Seorang berumur enam tahun, seorang berumur tiga tahun dan seorang lagi baru sahaja dilahirkan tujuh hari sebelum mendiang koperal Gani meninggal dunia. Bantuan dan sumbangan yang telah diberikan oleh kerajaan seperti Insurans Kelompok, gratuity, pencen termasuk membina sebuah rumah di kampung balu mendiang dan sebagainya telah dapat mengurangkan bebanan keluarga mendiang. Jadi, saya bagi pihak balu kepada mendiang ingin mengambil kesempatan ini untuk sekali lagi mengucapkan berbanyak-banyak terima kasih kepada kerajaan khususnya kepada Angkatan Tentera Malaysia.

Tuan Pengerusi, saya ingin mengungkit satu perkara iaitu satu janji yang telah dibuat oleh sebuah syarikat. Syarikat yang bernama Syarikat Bukit Rambai Development Sdn. Bhd. yang beralamat di 231A, Jalan Merpati of Jalan Raja Laut, 50350 Kuala Lumpur yang telah berjanji atau pledge untuk
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memberi sebuah apartment tiga bilik bernilai RM63,000 di Taman Desa Ria, Batu 10 Tangga Batu, Melaka. Jadi, kalau diizinkan saya akan membaca kandungan surat:
“22 Julai, 1994.
Menteri Pertahanan,
Dato' Seri Haji Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak. Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri, Sumbangan Dua Unit Apartment Tiga Blok Kelas G di Fasa II,Taman Desa Ria, Tangga Batu Melaka Kami bagi pihak Pengerusi dan Lembaga Pengarah Syarikat ini ingin merakamkan ucapan takziah di atas kematian dua anggota tentera kita semasa bertugas di Somalia pada 18 Julai 1994. Memandangkan hasrat Allahyarham Staff Sarjan Azman Mohamad Tahir untuk memiliki sebuah rumah untuk keluarganya, syarikat kami sukacitanya menyumbangkan satu unit apartment untuk keluarga Allahyarham Staff Sarjan Azman Mohamad Tahir dan juga untuk keluarga mendiang Gani anak Binjoi, di projek kami di Taman Desa Ria, Tangga Batu Melaka.

Apartment yang bernilai RM63,000 tersebut mengandungi 3 buah bilik sedang dalam pembinaan dan dijangka siap dalam masa 12 bulan lagi. Kami berharap Yang Berhormat Dato’ Seri dapat menyampaikan hasrat kami kepada keluarga
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Allahyarham Staff Sarjan Azman Mohamad Tahir dan keluarga mendiang koperal Gani anak Binjoi dengan harapan sumbangan yang tidak seberapa ini dapat mengurangkan bebanan kedua keluarga ini.” Susulan kepada itu pada 9 Ogos Syarikat Bukit Rambai Development Sdn. Bhd. telah menulis sepucuk surat kepada Puan Dora anak Buki iaitu balu kepada mendiang koperal atau Sarjan Gani anak Binjoi. Jadi, dalam kandungan
surat itu berbunyi:
“Puan,
Surat ini merupakan pengakuan sumbangan syarikat ini kepada Puan sebuah unit apartment tiga bilik bernilai RM63,000 di Taman Desa Ria, Tangga Batu Melaka sepertimana yang dinyatakan di dalam surat kami kepada Yang Berhormat Dato' Seri Haji Mohd. Najib bin Tun Haji Abdul Razak, Menteri Pertahanan Malaysia pada 20 Julai 1994. Sumbangan kecil kami ini merupakan penghargaan syarikat ini di atas sifat-sifat keperwiraan yang telah ditunjukkan oleh mendiang Gani anak Binjoi untuk bangsa dan negara. Kami akan memaklumkan kepada Puan sebaik sahaja apartment ini siap dibina untuk upacara penyerahan kunci. Sekian dimaklumkan, terima kasih.”

Tuan Pengerusi, hampir tiga tahun telah berlalu, tetapi sehingga kini belum ada berita dari sama ada Syarikat Bukit Rambai development Sdn. Bhd. mahupun dari Kementerian Pertahanan. Oleh yang demikian, Tuan Pengerusi bagi pihak balu kepada mendiang saya mohon agar pihak kementerian membuat siasatan atau membuat follow-up tentang janji atau pledge yang telah dibuat oleh Bukit Rambai Development Sdn. Bhd. kepada balu mendiang ini. Dengan itu saya menyokong rang undang-undang ini iaitu di bawah Maksud B.25.
Sekian, terima kasih.

Yang Berhormat dari Serian tadi membangkitkan tentang perkara anggota tentera yang terbunuh dan mendapat perhatian oleh pihak kerajaan. Saya juga ucap terima kasih di atas ucapan terima kasih Yang Berhormat tadi kepada pihak kerajaan yang telah dapat sedikit-sebanyak membantu para keluarga ataupun balu-balu Allahyarham Staff Sarjan Azman bin Tahir dan juga Korporal Gani yang terkorban di Somalia. Kedua, perkara yang
dibangkitkan juga oleh Yang Berhormat bersabit dengan dua buah apartment yang dijanjikan oleh syarikat yang disebut tadi, saya telah pun mencatat nama syarikat yang berkenaan, tetapi eloklah juga tulis surat kepada saya dan saya
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akan minta pegawai saya pergi menyiasat tentang janji-janji yang telah diberikan oleh syarikat tersebut untuk menghadiahkan dua buah apartment ini kepada waris kedua-dua anggota tentera yang telah pun terkorban demi menegakkan nama baik kedaulatan negara kita. Insya-Allah, kita akan bertindak agar janji mereka itu tetap ditepati.
Itulah sahaja Tuan Pengerusi, apa yang dapat saya jawab daripada pandangan, saranan serta teguran Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat. Yang mana perkara yang tidak sempat saya menjawab, saya harap pegawai-pegawai saya yang ada di Dewan ini dapat mencatatkan dan mengambil tindakan seterusnya daripada komen-komen Ahli-ahli Yang Berhormat berkenaan. Seterusnya ucapkan terima kasih.

Lt Col Linus Lunsong in Bandung in the Indon Elite Training Centre

2007-04-27T07:41:00.000-07:00

Prior to the actual training in Batu Djadjar, Bandung we had to undergo a preselection course lasting about four weeks at the Special Warfare School in Sg Udang Camp, Malacca. About 30 of us, a mix of trained commandos and noncommando personnel, attended the pre-course. We started the day with a 2-km run and occasionally increased to 3 and 5 km in between depending on the instructors. It would be followed by push-ups, sit-ups, heaving and many more to toughen our hand and leg muscles in preparation for the parachute training we would receive at the training centre in Bandung. We did floatation exercise either in thecamp's swimming pool or in the sea fronting the amphibious boat troop building at Sg Udang Camp.

We spent an hour or more, in full gears, before being brought back to the shore. Every night we had to sleep on the ground with only a poncho as a cover. The poncho was our protection against the elements. In the morning we had to share a biscuit each for two and a cup of tea for breakfast. Dinner was no better either. At times we would go and steal from the cookhouse to satiate our hunger. Besides those arduous physical training, we had to sharpen our skills, in map reading and field crafts. Skills that were required to see us through the 7-month course in Bandung. The Indonesians would not be as gentle as most of us would want to believe.

As if to add insult to injury and misery that we had suffered, we heard that some of our colleagues, those who had failed the preselection course, were picked to attend the Special Forces Course at Fort Bennings in Georgia, USA. I felt cheated and was so demoralised. Favouritism does not exist in the civil service alone. The army is no exception. Nevertheless, we pulled ourselves together and completed the course. 2Lt Beyamin was sick and was coughing uncontrollably. He was forced to withdraw leaving me as the only officer behind. 2LtDaud Ariffin, from the MSSU, was later brought in to fill the vacancy but did not make it to Bandung.

A month after completing the course we were on our way to the famous Indonesian city in West Java. Two days after we arrived in the RPKAD Training Centre, Batu Djardjar, we were taken to the jump tower to undergo our first test. We were told to climb up the 150-foot tower without any safety harness, just our bare hands and pure guts. Being the lone officer, I was asked to lead the pack. Silently, I said my prayers, asking God to grant me two seconds to live, for that was the time taken to parachute to the ground from the platform. If I survived the fall I would remain alive for the rest of the course. There standing in front of us was a big signboard with the words kalau ragu-ragu boleh balek sekarang. (If in doubt please go back now). I was inspired by those words. There was no turning back. How would I face my colleagues in the Rangers and my people back home should I fail. I closed my eyes and again beckoned upon God to grant me the precious two seconds and jumped. I found firm footing after the two seconds. I had survived. God had granted my wish. It took about an hour to complete our group before another group took over.

All of us survived this first test. It was very encouraging indeed The next three weeks, we were given lessons on ground training, breaking falls and parachute handling techniques. We were taught techniques to read wind speed and tracking. We were given lessons on ways to fold our parachutes and how to conduct safety checks. These lessons were to instil confidence in our equipment. The practical jumps were more scary, as we had to sit impatiently on the airport tarmac with parachutes on our backs waiting for the signal to embark. The waiting was exacerbated by problems in getting the aircraft airborne.

The conditions of the Indonesian aircrafts were the real reason. Delays were caused by mechanical problems which were the bane of the Indonesian Air Force. Exercises, however, went on smoothly with the exception of the waiting game, which we endured almost every other day. Before the week was over, we had completed the mandatory seven static jumps which comprised one night, one jungle, one equipment and the remaining were normal jumps.The closing ceremony was simple but sweet. We suffered a few bruises but no fatal injuries The military attache, a colonel, from the Malaysian Embassy at Jakarta graced the occasion.

A week later we were happy to meet another group of Malaysian soldiers joining us for the commando training. This group was led by 2Lt Ahmad Rodi and 2Lt Rahim, together with about 20 Other Ranks. They were rather unfortunate for they neither had the time nor the opportunity to acquaint themselves to the climate and the rigorous training - the Indonesian way.

From Day One, the whole intake of about 250 students suffered between 20 to 30 casualties, all from the Indonesian side. They all failed the 20 km run and were dismissed or RTU (returned to unit), in military parlance. We were not allowed to drink a single drop of water while on the march and not a drop immediately after we finished. Before the march were told to open our water bottles and pour the water to the ground. The first of a series of mental tortures we underwent. It was plain crazy but it was a course so we learned to accept whatever was thrown at us. Many collapsed and had to be medically evacuated. Those caught trying or attempting to drink the spilled water or any water along the route were kicked and punched before they were sent back to unit the next day.

A few cried foul but were subdued. No appeal was entertained. To the Indonesian soldiers, getting the coveted Red Beret was a glory few could achieved so they put their hearts and souls to the training. Getting sacked was a real slap in the face. I empathized with the failures. Every day we heard news that someone had been RTU failing to meet the rigorous training schedule. Others were sent home because they failed to adhere to stringent training requirements. Offenders were made to crawl on the roads. Many got their hands chests injured because of sharp gravels and stones. The Indonesians roads were something else.Crawling on them was never a thrilling experience. Kicking, slapping and punching were the norms. Physical abuses were condoned and conducted on a scale never seen today. May be this was how Third World armies conduct their training then. Civility was never a buzz word in their vocabulary. Somehow or other I was lucky to the end. I was among the few who were spared such insults.

May be I was a foreigner, a tetamu (guest) and a perwira (officer), so I was let off the hook.How presumptuous but that was the truth. After the first month a couple of our Malaysian soldiers fell victim and were sent home packing. The rest glued together and continued with the torture, regardless. Our training routine began at 5.30 am in the morning. We ran on the road, braving the freezing weather in our shorts. Bandung is on a plateau about 3000 feet above sea level. It can be pretty chilly in the morning. This would be followed by a breakfast consisting of rice either with a slice of tempeh (soya bean cake) or a see through meat slice and a bowl of watery vegetables soup.

After breakfast it would be the much dreaded weapon inspection which was to precede lessons relating to the course. Why I said that weapon inspection was a dread because during the inspection almost all of the trainees would be punished for no rhyme or reason. The instructors would simply find fault with us. We would curse and swear praying for deliverance from the Almighty. We had to remain attentive when in class. Anyone caught napping or dreaming would face the music. I was shot twice near my ears for sleeping in class. I was thankful my eardrums did not split despite the proximity of the shot and the blast. Tactics and manoeuvre techniques were the main subjects taught. Some were almost identical to what we had already learnt back home. Presentation of orders and words of command were slightly different but the basis was the same. We managed to close the gap and overcome the fear as we progressed along.

Field exercises were our greatest love. Everything would be simulated to the near real war situation. We fired live bullets, used hand grenades and bombs to feel the real wartime effects. We even used hand-held rocket launchers and commando mortars during these manoeuvres. Any slips or a simple miscalculation could result in fatalities. Fortunately, nothing untoward happened. Bayonet fighting, knife throwing and unarmed combat were as intense. We were given the opportunity to fight among ourselves at the end of every phase (camp, jungle and sea). The following day we could see broken lips and swollen eyes during the morning parade.

This helped boost our spirits. Training area was never a problem in Bandung. The centre could use padi fields, private properties and private buildings to conduct all forms of trainings. Property owners would gladly allow their premises to be used for such purposes. So much unlike Malaysia. Indonesians regard their armed forces as their saviour and therefore it is incumbent upon them to help in whatever manner possible. Our map reading exercises covered the surrounding areas of Batu Djadjar. To quote a few:

Kompas Chot
Hilltop to hilltop around the Batu Djardjar area. It could last a day or one whole night.
Kompas Churam.
Point to point crossing deep ravine or valley going down and up the steep side of rugged terrain.
Kompas Rawa.
Crossing miles and miles of swamp. Wading through mangroves that were subjected to the tides.
Kompas Jalan Kereta Api
Walking on railway tracks or bridges.
Kompas Sawa Padi.
Wading through padi fields that stretched miles and miles as far as the eyes could see. Two months into the training we moved to the mountain phase where we were taught mountain climbing, abseiling and rafting.

Occasionally, I was called to be the safety assistant and soon it became a permanent job for me. The instructors would call not only during rafting/river crossing but also during abseiling and mountain climbing. They had confidence in my ability. It was very fulfilling and an equally rewarding job but it was indeed tiring. I spent more hours than my colleagues on the job. I had little rest but I never complained. It was fun to be on the other end once in a while. Acting as safety assistant could be stressful and very frightening because we bore witness to some of the incidents that happened. Some injuries could be light but one or two could result in death or permanent disability.

One morning I witnessed five stretcher-bound casualties in front of my eyes. They were severely injured probably paralysed. They were moved out and that was the last time I saw them. We then moved to Situ Lembang for the jungle phase. This place was located on the highest point in Bandung near the famous extinct volcano, named Takuban Perahu. The weather up in the mountain was cold and damp. It was shrouded in mist and blanketed by clouds. The camp where we were billeted was sparse. We slept on bamboo splits and had neither a pillow or a blanket to protect us from cold and the chilling wind. We were exposed to the elements to toughen our mental strength and willpower. So they claimed. Offenders were summarily punished and were ordered to lay submerged in the freezing water and would be denied any dry clothing until the class was over. It was here that we were taught to live on treetops.

At night they would spray the trees with live bullets at an hour's interval to ensure that we remained in our perch. From the treetops we were taken to an area where we had to live on jungle ferns and wild shoots. During the three-day exercise we were provided with a few matchsticks, a packet of salt and nothing else. On the morning of the fourth day we had a huge grilled python and porridge for breakfast. This, apparently, marked the end of the jungle stage and the beginning of the long awaited Long March. How fitting. From the Ipoh Echo.(to be continued)

Kalabakan, the untold story......

2007-04-20T05:44:00.000-07:00

In the excitement of going on active service the 3rd Battalion overlooked some basic, practical precautions. They had, in fact, been told what to expect by Brigadier Glennie (Deputy Director of Operations) himself. An enthusiastic yachtsman, Glennie took a particular interest in the maze of creeks and rivers that ran through the swamps along the Tawau coastline and had himself set about organizing a flotilla of small patrol craft that came to be known rather grandly as the Tawau Squadron. He studied the particular problems of this end of the Borneo flank and decided that an attack was to be expected.

Tawau was almost as tempting a target as Kuching. It was prosperous centre for many rural industries-timber, rubber, tea, cocoa, hemp and palm oil-and three-fifths of the population were Indonesian immigrant workers and their families. The port itself stood on the northern shore of Cowie Harbour, and across the bay lay Sebatik Island, some thirty miles long, of which half belonged to Malaysia, half to Indonesia. On Sebatik and along the frontier the Indonesians had deployed five companies of regular marines-the Korps Komando Operasi or KKO- and a training camp for volunteer terrorists, some of them from the logging camps of Sabah.

The 3rd Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment, together with a company of the King’s Own Yorkshire Light Infantry and some local gendarmerie were responsible for the defence of Tawau and its environs and Glennie told them to expect an attack. Despite the presence of the Indonesian marines he did not expect this to come by sea, if only because the Royal Navy always kept a frigate or destroyer off Tawau and an efficient radar watch was maintained. But he did think that the attack would come through the swamps and he advised the newly-arrived Malays to prepare for it with patrolling and a defence system in depth.

They had not acted on Glennie’s advice when a strong force of raiders-thirty five Indonesian regulars leading one hundred and twenty –eight volunteers –crossed the border. Their intention was first to capture the defended village of Kalabakan to the west of Tawau and at the head of Cowie Harbour , then, as the Indonesian expatriates rose to support them, advance on Tawau itself. After crossing into Sabah, the raiders lurked undetected in the swamps and forests for eight days, then on 29th December were ready to launch their attack.

There were two defensive positions at Kalabakan. On the bank of the river running into Cowie Harbour stood the police station, fortified with sandbags and barbed wire and manned by fifteen policemen. Four hundred yards away, a platoon and two sections of the Royal Malay Regiment, under their Company Commander occupied two huts. Although trenches had been dug nearby, the huts themselves were not fortified in any way. After dark that evening, the unsuspecting Malay soldiers were engaged in domestic activities, washing and cleaning clothes and equipment. Their sentries were not alert.

At two o’clock in the morning Walker’s telephone rang and the duty officer at his headquarters told him that Kalabakan had been attacked and had fallen. The attack had been launched just before eleven o’clock. An assault group had crept up to the Malays, flung grenades through the windows and opened automatic fire. Before the Malays could reach their weapons, eight had been killed, including the company commander, and nineteen wounded. Tem minutes later, another party had assaulted the police station but the small garrison had had time to rush inside their perimeter and successfully fought off the attack. In the timber company manager’s house they helped themselves to his whisky, while his wife and their cook hid under the bed. The manager himself, out at a logging camp, made for the Malays’ strongpoint. Reaching the survivors, he told them that this was the moment to counter-attack and he would join them himself. But, shocked into inaction, they stayed where they were.

The Indonesians moved out of the village but, content with their success, did not move directly upon Tawau, where they might have been able to repeat it. Instead, they traveled north to lie low in the wilds where they believed they would be safe.

Next morning Walker flew to Tawau. On arrival Walker sent a signal asking for urgent reinforcements and, at once, the 1/10th Gurkhas who had already served in Sarawak, began returning from Malacca. But Walker also heard that the news had been reported to the Tunku Abdul Rahman verbally and, to spare his feelings, the signal giving details of the action had been kept from him. On hearing of the disaster he had at once announced his intention of flying to Sabah to visit the survivors of the first battle fought directly between Malaysia and Indonesia.

Walker flew to Jesselton-the capital of Sabah, now to be renamed Kota Kinabalu-to meet him and was relieved when Fenner (Inspector General of Police Claude Fenner) arrived by an earlier aircraft. Walker told him that the inexperienced Malay soldiers had been ‘caught with their trousers down’. This often happened under such circumstances and was a lesson to be learned. He intended to tell the Tunku exactly what had happened. The Inspector General of Police Claude Fenner strongly advised him not to do so. Whether or not British troops had suffered similar disasters in war, the Tunku would never accept or believe that his soldiers had been caught by surprise and defeated. Walker realizing that Fenner knew the Tunku better than he did, agreed.

When the Tunku arrived, Walker told him the story of the action in diplomatic language. The Indonesians had approached with great skill, using the cover of Kalabakan, so enabling them to rush the Malay position in overwhelming numbers. This was both true and tactful. The Tunku was immensely moved and, on arrival at Tawau, tearfully greeted his wounded soldiers, gave each a handsome cash bounty and decreed that a monument should be erected at Kalabakan to the dead.

Reference:Extracts from, "Fighting General. The Public and Private Campaigns of General Sir Walter Walker". Author : Tom Pocock

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Life In 3 Rangers Lt Col Linus Lunsong

2007-04-13T05:59:00.000-07:00

.....continued
I was commissioned into the Third Battalion Malaysian Rangers (3 Rangers) stationed at Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor about an hour’s drive from Kuala Lumpur. There were eight of us, Abang Ali, Bujang Sapawi, Kassim, Ngo Kim Seng, Siaw, Jagdesh Singh and Stephen Bey, reporting to the Camp on that particular day. We had a rousing welcome by the seniors led by Major Day, the Battalion Second in- Command, Captain Richard King, Captain Furly, the Adjutant, Second Lieutenant Suselan and some other British officers at the Officers’ Mess foyer.

It was a very well organised welcoming party with plenty of beer to offer. Before anything else I had down three cans of beer, not that I was good drinker but was under pressure. Much to my surprise, I had never done this before in my life. Trust me! It was not too long before I threw out while gorging through my fourth can. I was baptised. It took three days for me to be officially accepted as a member of the Officers’ Mess while some took a slightly longer time. Acceptance was based on how quick one could socially integrate with the seniors. It was a simple form of orientation to “break-in” a new member. “Freshies” would undergo some ritualistic mumbo jumbos which were regarded as “traditions” organised by the President of the Mess Committee. Where supervision was weak such “orientation” had been known to gone awry. Some of these “freshies” were traumatised beyond reasons and the whole objective of the welcoming party came to nought. However, such activity is being frowned upon by the military hierarchy presently.

A week later it was the customary “mess night” held to welcome new members to the mess. That night we had the “3 Rangers Special” a drink we would remember for life. Could you guess the content? It was made of just anything edible and drinkable under the sun - brandy, whisky, beer, ketchup, chilli sauce, toname a few, blended together. A concoction guaranteed to send you to the moon!

For the next three weeks, we went through the orientation period under the watchful eyes of Captain Richard King who familiarised us with the Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), organisation and functionality of an infantry battalion and life in the battalion. King was a seconded British Officer, a six-footer with a strong physique. He was very knowledgeable and had plenty of experience having served in some of the most inhospitable regions of the world with the British Army. It was interesting learning the ropes from an experienced officer. He handled us well but we had problem keeping pace with him. When he opened his strides, we would be running otherwise we be left behind. He would have one or two beers during NAAFI break (10 o’clock) and some more during lunchtime and a bit more before dinner. We would be careful not to pass anywhere near the bar during these hours otherwise we would be dragged in for a drink or two that could last forever.

After the orientation period was over, we were interviewed by the Commanding Officer, Lieutenant-Colonel HarjitSingh, and then introduced to our platoons which we would lead. During the interview I was informed by Harjit to take charge of a “troubled platoon” - the 12th Platoon of Delta Company. I was told no officers had survived more than six months at the helm. The platoon was commanded by a sergeant. I was anxious to meet my platoon personnel and to find out what made them so difficult to administer. The Platoon Sergeant, Sgt Suhaili, came over and gave me a smart salute and introduced me to the men for the first time. They were dashing young men except for a few veterans like Cpl Ibrahim, Cpl Lugat and the Sgt Suhaili himself. As the introduction progressed, I found out that these men were no different from rest. All they needed was someone to trust, someone to lead and to become their big brother.

It took me awhile to study their backgrounds and to understand each and everyone of them. I spent time with the men, teaching them basic military skills and tactics and other things that a soldier should know. At the same time, I took the opportunity to learn from them, their experiences and exposures. Bonding came easy, as I made it a point to be with them not as an officer but a big brother and a friend. Suhaili, Ibrahim and Lugat were a pillar of strength. They gave their undivided support although I was just a greenhorn. Once yougained their trust interacting became a lot easier Made me wonder why the previous commanders were unsuccessful in managing them. It could be their attitude or something else more sinister. Whatever it was I was
unconcerned.

A few weeks into my induction I was selected to attend the Young Officers’ Tactics Course at Maktab Latihan Tentera Darat (MLTM) now known as Pusat Latihan Tentera Darat (LATEDA) in Port Dickson. I got through the three-month course with flying colours and was beaming with confidence upon my return to Kuala Kubu Bahru. My men were equally delighted to see their commander. Early in morning I would take my platoon for physical training. Later we would go to the rubber estate nearby to hone in our skills in field crafts and battle drills. I would organise map reading exercises in the jungles around the camp. Since we had to be proficient in public order drills, I helped my company commander conduct public order exercises from time to time. During such trainings my platoon got to exercise with the other two platoons.

The teachings I had acquired at RMC and MLTM were used to good stead during these field exercises. At night I would conduct Bahasa Malaysia classes for Lugat and the rest whose command of the language was poor. Some were illiterate and being a fellow Sarawkian, I felt obligated to impart them the knowledge. They found it hard to understand written orders and had to depend on drawings and sketches made by the Company Sergeant Major. It may seem amusing to the uninitiated but that is the truth. Soldiers those days were not as educated as they are today. In spite of them not being able to read and write, they made it up in their soldiering skills. I had nothing but my utmost respect for them From dawn to dusk we maintained a busy routine. My boys were kept busy most of the time. They obviously enjoyed it since nobody complained.

Towards the end of the year we went to Trengganu for a series of field exercises codenamed IKUTAN 1 & 2. The whole battalion was involved. This was the first time my platoon was tested. We did a superb job and Captain John Harvey, my company commander, was so delighted that he threw a party. One morning we woke up to see the four wooden walls of the Officers’ Mess collapsed. We were shocked to see the mess. There was no storm the night before. Captain Aziz, the Quarter Master (QM) was not impressed. The prime suspect was Lieutenant Edward Tay, the Battalion Intelligence Officer (IO).. “Is this your. work, Edward?” Before the QM could finish his sentence Edward replied, “yes, sir. I and a few others are responsible for the damage but don’t worry we’ll put it up before evening.” “Bloody hell, get cracking then,” said Aziz. They must have had a rowdy night in the wooden block and having drunk beyond their limit attempted to bring the roof down as well Edward grinned and left. He came back soon armed with a ladder, nails and a hammer.

In the evening the four walls were back in their original position. That was 3 Rangers. No one was indispensable. We were one great team. Mess life in 3 Rangers was simply fantastic. We were the talk of the Armed Forces. The officers had become a very close-knitted family; an envy to many others. The comradeship that was established lasted to this very day. I remember one night when we marched down to Kuala Kubu Bahru town dressed elegantly in long sleeves and neck ties for a cowboy movie at the town‘s only cinema. We had little in our pockets but still managed to share and buy dinner at the hawker stall. Ais Batu Kacang or ABC and fried keow teow were our favourite.

It was good clean fun. We would take a dig at one another but it was nothing serious or personal. These were qualities that bond us together and made us proud of being part of 3 Rangers. I played rugby and was pretty good at basketball but the game I liked most was hockey.. I was fast and could dribble the ball right up to the opponent’s goal. We used to win matches in Tanjong Malim and the surrounding areas. Our hockey captain was full of praises for me until one day when an ugly incident happened. During one of the intercompany games I was so pissed with one senior rank, Shamsuddin who started to pick on my team’s left winger. I ticked him off and cautioned him not to be hard on the guy.

“Why do you care, Sir. It’s hockey,” he retorted. I was enraged and waited for the right moment to strike back. A few minutes later someone hit a half volley and we were both running for the ball. As I reached the ball I gave a whack with the sharp edge of the hockey stick direct across his shinbone. I could hear the crack as he took a tumble and fell to the ground. Blood spurted out and soon his right leg was completely soaked. He laid face down, groaning with pain. As I stretched forward to pick him up, he looked at me and said, “thank you, Sir.” I felt remorseful. From then onwards I swore never to touch a hockey stick again.

By end of 1968 the battalion moved to Kuching for a ninemonth unaccompanied tour of Sarawak. Those days units were shipped between West and East Malaysia for short operational stint. Families were left behind in the camps. Captain John Harvey, my company commander, left for England after having completed his tour of duty in Malaysia. He was replaced by Captain Samad Ayob. Barely a week after we arrived at Balai Ringin Camp we were assigned to a commando detachment (troop) under Captain Chua Hong Kang. Our first mission was to go across the Indonesian border to attack a Communist Terrorists (CT) camp located inside one of the many caves within the Idai Complex. The terrorists, according an informer, were estimated to be around 120- strong. That evening we bade farewell to our colleagues. Wewere transported, under cover of darkness, in military vehicles to a place called Lachau. It was a frightening moment for an inexperienced soldier like me and many shared my fear too but we were excited, nonetheless. We were confident of attacking the camp successfully and were prepared for some casualties.

We started at midnight, scaling up the mountain range somewhere near a small village at Lachau and cutting across into the Idai Complex. We were instructed specifically not to follow track used by the locals to avoid detection. It took us almost 3 days non- stop walking to reach the location. We split into small groups to detect signs on the ground. There were numerous footprints but we could not differentiate between friends or foes. All of sudden we received instructions to pull out immediately. We were given a fixed period to clear the area. The Indonesian Army would fire their guns into the area subsequently. Minutes later we heard the sounds of helicopters coming to pick and move us to an undisclosed location inside the Malaysian border.

Almost immediately we heard booming sounds of the guns and of bombs crashing into the woods. I did not bother to find out why the operation was aborted. We were airlifted to Gunong Spali miles away from where we were. We were dislodged on the mountain top without food or water for two days until the weather was clear for a re-supply by air. This was my first operational experience and the beginning of many more to come. We were left on the mountain for three months. While the planners in Kuching hashed and rehashed plans for a battle we, on the ground, waited in anticipation. Finally, we received orders to move out to the Landing Point (LP) to be evacuated by helicopters. What an anti-climax. Frustrated with the way we were treated, I ordered my men to march out from the operational area in torn shirts and trousers.

Captain Samad, who was waiting at the LP, was shocked to see me in my tethered clothing. “What happened to you? Where did you come from?” he asked. I told him that we had not being re-supplied on schedule. The torn uniforms were evident enough. “March them straight to the store and give them a new pair of uniform each,” he said to the company quartermaster sergeant, Staff Sergeant Zainal. Turning around, he looked hard at me and said, “young man, join me for a drink after you are done, ok?” Samad was a lively guy, tall dark and handsome and could be passed for an actor. A polished singer, he would coax and teach me to sing. He was my mentor who taught me human resource management. He trusted his subordinates fully. He would check our progress once and would offer his help or advice only if it was needed. One day I was summoned to his office and he said, rather candidly, “don’t waste your time in 3 Rangers, go out if you have the opportunity. You have the capabilities and the talents to climb high. In the Army you must be either be seen or heard otherwise you would be forgotten. Fight when you are Captain but slow down a bit when you are a Major.”

His advice seemed plausible. I was motivated to move on from that day onwards. I was soon detached from Delta Company and placed in command of a special squad. The squad’s task was to collect and collate intelligence and passed it back to the battalion headquarters. I travelled a great deal, mostly in the Iban populated areas, tracking the movements of terrorists who had infiltrated deep inside Katibas, Batang Rejang, Oya, Mukah Tatau, Sarikei and the surrounding areas. I was literally detached from the battalion and was left to manage the special squad on my own. We were almost forgotten. The battalion even left for Taiping without me. I had to rush to the airport to catch the last flight home.

I did not have the opportunity to even say goodbye to my parents who were just half an hour’s drive away from the place I stayed. It was cruel and indeed a traumatic ending for me. Despite this little episode I was happy to reunite with my platoon. My boys had gone without me for almost three months. My platoon had arrived in Taiping a month earlier than me. Two months later we received the news of a major reshuffle in the entire battalion. New battalions were being formed up so trained men were needed to beef up the new units. Some of my men would be leaving the platoon soon. It was a very sad moment for everyone of us. Our moral was rock bottom. Friends and partners would soon split for good. We could not bear leaving 3 Rangers for another battalion. Period.

A few weeks later we were deployed to the Thai border but returned to Taiping a month later. Upon arrival we heard that some of the personnel had left for the new battalions. I asked for an interview with the Commanding Officer to remonstrate but was told off by my superiors. They did not seem to appreciate my predicament. At such tender age I simply could not see the larger picture. The army was expending and new battalions were being established to meet mounting challenges by the Malayan Communist Party. Men were required to fill up the new infantry units. There must be a right mix of old and new. I was too emotional over the whole issue and had let it crept into my thick head. One other episode which never failed to miss my mind was the uneasy relationship we had with the Police. The Kuala Kubu Bahru Police station was located next to our camp. We had not much contact with them neither do they with us. It was a tinder box relationship ready to ignite at the slightest provocation.

Late one night Jagdesh Singh popped into the Officers’ Mess while we were partying. Slung across his shoulder was a submachinegun. He looked excited.“Gentlemen,” he shouted, “there is a fight in town and some of our soldiers are in the police lock up. The Police refuse bail.” Major Ghani, the most senior office present, ordered us to fall in ranks and marched to the police station. We stopped at the gates and Ghani shouted at the police to release the soldiers. This went on for awhile until the Commanding Officer came and told us to disperse. We broke ranks and returned to the camp. To my surprise the whole camp was awake. The soldiers were on “stand-to” and were ready for battle.

The next day I witnessed a flurry of activities at the battalion headquarters. The army top brass from the Ministry of Defence dropped by in a helicopter. Colonel Harjit’s days were numbered. He was unceremoniously removed from command and was temporarily replaced by Major Ismail It was during Ismail’s tenure as the Acting Commanding Officer that I gathered enough courage to request for a personal interview. I was not too pleased with developments in the battalion. Those who slogged were overlooked while the applepolishers enjoyed the benefits. However, the interview was ill timed. Ismail dismissed me as being impetuous and hot-headed. I got a mouth full instead and came out of the office feeling more contemptuous than ever.

Somehow the dictum that young officers are not to be heard but only to be seen holds true. I learnt things the hard way. One morning I received a call from Captain Nesaratnam, the Adjutant, informing me about an offer for special forces training by Rejimen Para Komando Angkatan Darat Indonesia (RPKAD) at Batu Djadjar Bandung. Without hesitation I signed on for the selection trial at Sg Udang Camp, Melaka. The next day I left for Tampin en route to the First Malaysian Special Service Unit (MSSU) Camp, Melaka. I left a note on the table for my batman (valet) that read, hanya mayat sahaja akan kembali saya akan tetap berjaya dikomando. While in the train coach, I recalled all the happy moments I had with 3 Rangers. Tears began to stream down my cheeks. I had come to love the officers and men and they in return had reciprocated in kind. I knew I would not be seeing them again. As I sat on the seat by the window, the past flashed by in my mind. The flashbacks were so vivid like pictures on a sliver screen. I cupped my face and cried. My whimpering was drowned by the noise of the rolling stock, as the train chugged along the tracks into the moonlit night. The Ipoh Echo

Lieutenant Colonel Linus Lunsong "The Little Iban Warrior"

2007-02-23T05:49:00.000-08:00

MY LIFE IN A NUTSHELL

I was the Commanding Officer of 22 Para Komando Rejimen (parachute regiment) based in Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor when I left the Army after almost 20 years of service. That I thought was a commendable achievement for a ‘little Iban’ who hails from Sibu Sarawak

I grew up in a longhouse at Tuai Rumah Nyala, Sibu about a kilometer from Bukit Aup, a place famous for offerings or niat, in the Iban language. Every weekend we could see people from all walks of lives come to the hilltop making offerings to appease their gods. We were part of this mystical mountain.

Growing up as an Iban kid was fun. We had rivers to swim and jungles to roam. We never once worry, for we had plenty of food to eat and water to drink. We had no refrigerators but that was never a problem since there was no electricity. Everything was available fresh from the jungles and the rivers. We learned to trap birds, animals and catch fish. Our parents and the longhouse’s elders would teach us basic hunting skills which we perfected as we grew up. They would take us into the jungles and taught us how to identify birds by sight and sounds. And we thoroughly enjoyed these gifts of Mother Nature.

Many of us graduated, in our own rights, some became farmers, some teachers, some professionals, one or two became bomoh (shamans) and few, like me, ended as solider boys. Anyway, I did make them proud when I graduated as the best cadet in my intake, Short Service Commission Intake 12, Royal Military College, 1968.

In 1959, I bade farewell to my longhouse folks to study in Sacred Heart School, Sibu. I did come back occasionally during the school holidays to savour the wonderful time I had as a kid. Things were slowly changing as time past by. We could no longer run and swim naked like before. Fish became rare, so were the animals and the birds we used to hunt. I had to read books and do my homework at night, things unheard of during my childhood days.

I finished my Senior Cambridge in 1965 and got a job as Technical Assistant Grade 11 in Post and Telegraph. It was to please my grandpa who could no longer afford to send me for further studies. I had to work hard to get through the ranks and was ready for a diploma course at the Telecom Training Centre, Gurney Road, Kuala Lumpur in 1967. I turned down the offer and chose to join the Royal Military College as a cadet officer instead.

I was commissioned to the Third Battalion Ranger Regiment in 1968 based at Kuala Kubu Bharu, Selangor. I was given the opportunity to switch to the Air Force but the Ranger spirit was too great to resist. No regrets though, 3 Rangers was a great infantry battalion, perhaps one of the best then. I served with many great soldiers who were not only brave but were dedicated and hard working. There were Ibans, Kadazans, Muruts , Kayan, Kenyah, Chinese, Malays, Indians and others. All of them subscribed to the great Ranger spirit of Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban (As long as there is life there is fight).

In 1970 I applied to attend a commando course at the Rejimen Para Komando Angkatan Darat Indonesia in Bandung, Indonesia. I was the only officer among the few hundred applicants selected for the course. I left Taiping with a note to my orderly saying,only my body will return. I‘ll pass the commando course(hanya mayat sahaja akan pulang, saya akan lulus dan berjaya di kursus Komando ). Yes, I did. I qualified for both the Red Beret and the Green Beret, at the same time. All the skills I had acquired as a kid were put to good use. I survived and passed the course with flying colours.

I am proud till this very day to be one of the four commandos of the Malaysian Special Service Regiment (MSSR) who were trained for one year, in Bandung and Sg Udang, and had the dubious honour to don both the Red and Green berets. And in spite of such rigorous training schedule, I sat and passed my Lieutenant to Captain Examination - both practical and written. The following year, I was posted to Bandung as Liaison Officer with the rank of Captain - super fast!

In 1973, the MSSR sent me to the Special Service Regiment, Perth Australia to attend the Shallow Water Diver Instructor (Demolition) course. Two years later the regiment sent me to the British Royal Marines, United Kingdom for the Swimmer Canoeist course. I became a ‘complete commando’ and was among the ‘elite’ after five gruelling years - the toughest part of my life.

I was awarded the Pingat Kepujian Perutusan Keberanian (Mentioned in Despatch) by DYMM Agong in 1973 for the success in wiping up the infamous 5th Assault Unit under Chong Chor in Pahang. My troop killed one communist terrorist, wounded a few and captured two. A month later, the entire group was annihilated. Our eventual score, one terrorist killed, two captured, 16 died of starvation and two surrendered - Chong Chor and his wife. One of the most successful campaigns in the MSSR annals.

In 1976, I was posted to Sibu as a Military Intelligent Officer (MIO) attached to the Special Branch (SB) at the Rejang Area Security Command Headquarters (RASCOM). I had the best of the Border Scout personnel (the elite of the Iban fighters) trained under my direction. Three months after their covert operation training, we had our first kill, our first baptism of fire, so to speak . Months after that we killed a few more. Within the next 18 months we killed nine more and almost wiped off the entire Oya Muka Tatau Group operating in the 3rd Division and a splinter group operating in the 4th Division of Sarawak. These two groups were remnants of the North Kalimantan People’s Army, which was active during the Confrontation years of 1960s.

Unfortunately though, the Military and the Police Field Force were not very happy with my successes. Instead of rejoicing over my achievement, they accused me of being traitor. I was blamed for acting on my own and not sharing the information with them . I became an outcast to friends and foes alike. I was advised by the Head of Special Branch to pack my bags and leave RASCOM for good. I returned to the MSSR base at Sg Udang Camp in 1977.

At Sg Udang, I was assigned to the Special Warfare Training Centre as Officer Commanding Amphibious Wing. Besides training we also conducted beach survey of the coast of Peninsular Malaysia stretching from Tumpat to Sedili Kecil in Johore Bahru. We explored the beautiful islands of Perhentian, Tioman, Langkawi and Rawa, to name a few. We parachuted into Kelantan, Terenganu , Pahang and Johor. We did what we were ordered to do.

I served as a staff officer and did a stint at the Ministry of Defence and the Army Corps Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. I was also an instructor at the Officer Cadet School in Port Dickson. I had a wonderful time in the Army and experienced the best in the Military. I am no stranger to the Army neither the Navy nor the Air Force. I am proud to be dubbed an “officer and a gentleman”. Fine qualities which I have acquired from my military training.

In 1984, I was awarded the Ahli Mangku Negara by the DYMM Yang DiPertuan Agong, Sultan Iskandar of Johor. That was my most defining moment.

PRE-CADET TRAINING AT SG BESI CAMP

On the evening of the eve of my departure from my longhouse, we had a small gathering consisting of my immediate family members to pray for guidance and protection from the Heavenly Father. We could not start early because my father was still missing, making his way back from a neighbouring longhouse and bringing along the pengaroh’(talisman) from my uncle who lived a few kilometres from where we were.

My grandfather, an ex-teacher and a strict disciplinarian, was furious. He could no longer hold his anger. “What?” he shouted, “How many pengaroh does he need?” He stood up and went straight to the wooden box underneath the bed, opened the case and took out a bundle of taring babi (wild bore tusks). He placed them on a small plate and said, “These will be enough to see him through his army days. They had done a great job for me before and will continue to do so”.

I was silent throughout the prayer session not knowing what to say or do. My thought was running wild, wandering and thinking how I would survive in a foreign land and having to leave home for the first time. Would I be able to make it, only God knows!

The next day, as I was about to depart, we received news that one of neighbours had died. Bad omen to a few but the majority believed that it was a good send off for me. I could not be bothered. I could not wait much longer and was looking forward to don the green military uniform. I gave my parents a big hug and said goodbye, wiping off my tears as I boarded the rickety old bus to the airport nearby.

A few days before I was doing the same, bidding farewell to my colleagues at the Post and Telegraph office and my kampong mates in Sibu town. It was a sad occasion. I would not know whether I would be seeing them again.

I had to transit in Kuching before departing for Kuala Lumpur the following day on a military aircraft. There were a few others who were headed for the military college on the aircraft. The plane landed at the Royal Malaysian Air Force, Air Base, Sg Besi and we were taken straight to the Royal Military College (RMC), about an hour and half journey through the busy streets of Kuala Lumpur.

We reached the college at about 7.30 pm, tired and hungry. Instead of heading to the canteen, the military truck stopped right in the middle of the square or parade ground, considered sacred to the military fraternity. Suddenly all hell broke lose. We heard people shouting for the vehicle to move. Dirty words and curses resonated from every nook and corner of the walled-up square. Not comprehending what in the world was happening, we disembarked cautiously from the truck, frightened and dishevelled.

Suddenly a man in a full uniform came. Shahir was the name on his nametag He was the Duty Officer. He shouted for us to “fall in“. We could not understand a word he was saying because we had, until then, had not heard any military words of command. He was furious and was bent on giving us hell. Sharir was expressionless and did not show us any sympathy. “Ten push ups and ten ketok ketampi,” he shouted, as he continued picking on us one after another. It was real torture, an ordeal that lasted for almost an hour.

We were relieved when told to move to the First Artillery Regiment Camp about a mile away from the college. Along the way the driver was apologetic and was feeling bad for being the cause of the unpleasant experience. A bit too late, I guess. The damage was done.

Upon reaching the camp, my friend David Foo from Sibu was inconsolable. He had a nervous breakdown and wanted to catch the next flight home but we managed to persuade him to stay. That was our first baptism of fire, of sorts. In the weeks and months to come we were to experience more. Although our bodies and limbs ached our spirits were never broken They had been hardened, as we took the punishments in our strides.

The next day more trainees arrived at the artillery camp. Soon our barracks were filled. I no longer felt lonely as the long weekend brought in many more new recruits. I could see excitements written all over the faces. Everyone was eager to start afresh. We could not wait for Monday to begin.

That was the beginning of training for army cadets of Short Service Commission Intake 12. We would be at RMC for the next six months before graduation.

We did our basic military training for a month at the artillery camp. This was to prepare us for life at RMC. We started the day with physical training (PT) either running, log PT or assault course and followed by foot drills. The programme was repeated every other day. It was monotonous but was fun to see how clumsy and uncoordinated some were when marching on the drill square. On alternate evening we played football and volleyball. This provided some forms of entertainment for many of us. It was also time to interact with my new-found friends. The rudimentary living conditions were seemingly much better than the conditions in our kampongs and longhouses. At least we got to eat four square meals a day. I was satisfied and had no reasons to complain.

It was tough at the beginning but enjoyable. Every one of us was having problems trying hard to digest the words of command, figuring which foot to push forward, which arm to swing and which side to turn the head. Cadet Hardev Singh suffered the most. His near comatose brain failed him miserably.

But surprisingly a month later, Hardev, together with the rest, were able to march in unison and in harmony not only in steps but style, much to the delight of our drill instructors who had spent tirelessly ensuring that we were ready for RMC. They had worked magic. Kudos to these unsung heroes who had taught us the ropes in spite of the many shortcomings.

Unfortunately for me on the second week of the training, I dislocated my ankle and my right foot was swollen. The blue black lasted about three days but the pain was excruciating. I was sent to the Casualty Receiving Centre or CRS nearby for treatment. I could not lift my entire foot and was almost bedridden. Suddenly a friend came. He was Rahim from Penang. “ Tonight when everyone is asleep, I will massage your ankle but don’t let anyone know otherwise I’ll be in trouble’, he said. Rahim made me promised to keep his offer a secret till the end.

At around mid-night Rahim came as promised. He started with a short jampi (payers) and touched my foot. I did not feel any pain right from the moment he touched my right foot till the end. He massaged for about an hour. When it was over so did the pain. It was puzzling. Rahim had worked miracle. My foot was healed with his magic touch. I was inquisitive and asked him how he managed to take away the pain? “Shhh”, was all he could muster, his finger to his lips. With that he left leaving me more puzzled than ever. Rahim, a bomoh urut so famous up in the north. I had no way of ascertaining the truth till today. It was simply amazing.

The next day I was back on my feet again. Everybody including the nurse who treated me was surprised. I could not give them an answer but smiled and chose to remain quiet to the very end. I had given Rahim my word.

A month later we had a passing out parade, a mini graduation of sorts, marking an end to the pre-induction training. This pre-training was moved to Port Dickson with later intakes. The parade, as anticipated, went on smoothly. We had accomplished our mission and had benefited from it tremendously. Our physical fitness and proficiency had been boosted and we were ready to face the rigorous challenges at RMC. The pains and sufferings we experienced bind us together and our comradeship remained strong to this very day.

The evening on the eve of the passing-out parade, I was adjudged the best dressed gentleman of the intake. It was flattering indeed. An achievement, nonetheless. I felt honoured.

Lt-Col (Rtd) Linus Lunsong served with a Ranger battalion and the Malaysian Special Service Regiment during the height of the Second Emergency (1972 to 1989). This is Part One of the serial from his book, “The Little Iban Warrior.”

Don’t do drugs, rob or kill, says national warrior

2006-08-11T05:05:00.000-07:00

SRI AMAN (Sarawak) : The peaceful and prosperous life enjoyed by Malaysians today should inspire the younger generation to continue with the efforts to defend the country, says a national warrior.

Former Warrant Officer I, Kanang Anak Langkau, said the country’s younger generation today were lucky as they did not have to face war and rebellion like in the other countries.

“Malaysia is very peaceful now, don’t do useless activities such as taking drugs, robbing and killing. Lead a peaceful life.

“To school-going children, don’t let your parents down, study hard. Seek knowledge in order to become a useful person – your efforts will be rewarded,” he said here yesterday.

Kanang, 61, is the only living national warrior. He was awarded the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa medal (SP) and the Panglima Gagah Berani medal (PGB) for his bravery as a soldier.

A ranger known for living by the Iban war cry Agi Idup Agi Ngalaban (Fight for as long as you’re alive), Kanang recalled the time he served in the Armed Forces and fought to defend the sovereignty of the country, especially against the communist threat.

MEDALS OF HONOUR: Kanang showing the awards he received as a soldier at his home in Sri Aman yesterday. — Bernamapic
Originally from Kanowit, Kanang, who was born on March 2, 1945, joined the Armed Forces in 1961 as an Iban tracker.

On Feb 19, 1980, the 8th Ranger Unit Combat Intelligence Squad headed by Capt Johnson ak Meling, assisted by Kanang, a sergeant at that time, was on duty at Tanah Hitam in Perak to track a band of communist guerillas, who had shot dead a soldier from the 25th Royal Malay Regiment several days earlier.

Kanang was injured by a booby trap set by the enemies and was attacked by the communists.

Despite suffering serious stomach injuries, he still went on fighting and killed several of the enemy.

For this, Kanang was awarded the SP medal on June 3, 1981. He was given the PGB award on June 7, 1987.

Speaking of his life now, Kanang said he wanted to make up for all the times he was unable to be with his wife Helen Latai anak Intie, 57, due to his duties.

“Throughout the 26 years of serving in Armed Forces, my wife and family were usually left on their own not just for a day or two but for months.

“Now, I just want to look at her face. She is always with me now and I won’t leave her again,“ he said. – Bernama. The source....

Operation "Seladang" (Gaur)

2006-06-16T08:59:00.000-07:00

On the 18th August 1959 Operation Seladang was launched in Pahang, a section of 12 men were selected from Platoon 9, C Company of the 1st Federation Regiment. They were led by 2Lt Muthulingam Francis Thilagaratnam (200103). They were tasked to conduct an ambush in the vicinity of a banana plantation and the Sungei Ruan new village.

The Lieutenant was assisted by his Platoon Sergeant 201410 Ismail bin Man and Corporal Choo Woh Soon. The section moved from Mentakab, Pahang at around 2200 hrs through the Sungei Ruan Police Station, to pick up a Police Special Branch Agent. They were guided by this agent to the location, earmarked for the ambush. They arrived at the location at midnight. The agent after indicating the location to the troops left the area.

The section took up positions in the banana plantation until the dawn of 19th August 1959. To avoid being seen by the locals they moved out of the ambush position as daylight broke. They abandoned their ambush position to move uphill which was covered with bush. They stayed hidden there until nightfall.

They rested on top of the hill awaiting nightfall. To keep themselves undetected by the local population, the members of this ambush party did not bring any food to be cooked and were not allowed to smoke at any time. No cooking utensils like mess tin, spoons and hexamine tablets for cooking were carried. They only carried biscuits and water. They stayed put at that location until late in the evening. At around 1800 hrs the rain came down, when it was still drizzling 2Lt M.F. Thilagaratnam moved down the hill with seven of his men, to reoccupy the ambush position.

4 men were left behind to take care of the surplus equipment and their radio sets. When the ambush party was about to take up their positions even though it was drizzling, the line of sight and the weather at that moment was clear. This troubled them that they could be spotted by passersby’s. They aborted the taking up of positions temporarily, to await darkness. They pulled back a distance from their designated ambush position.

As the section was looking for a good spot to be covered from view, Lance Corporal Choo took cover behind the trunk of a banana tree. A little moment after that at approximately 1815 hrs, suddenly, a person appeared before him. Lance Corporal Choo tried to signal the Platoon Sergeant, Sgt. Ismail who was nearby. The Sergeant failed to see Lance Corporal Choo who was frantically signaling him.

It never crossed the mind of LCpl Choo that the person in front of him was a Communist Terrorist. His first thought was that the person was an “Orang Asli” (aborigine), as the person was not wearing a shirt or a hat and was wearing long pants which had been cut off at the legs, just below the knees. Apart from that he was carrying a salt container which was normally used by the aborigines.

LCpl Choo carefully observed the movement of this individual, without the individual being aware. The individual laid down a Tommy gun and then removed his pack and stood as though waiting for someone. When LCpl Choo saw the Tommy gun, he realized that he was the Enemy. The Enemy now moved forward, looking, probably for his friend or friends. LCpl Choo lay still and was still not detected by the Enemy.

He continued observing the Enemy. He could actually hear his heart thumping in his chest. LCpl Choo continued observing, once in awhile trying to get the attention of Sgt Ismail. LCpl Choo did not want to react without orders as he was instructed by his Platoon Commander not to open fire without his orders. The Lieutenant was not aware at the entire goings on, as he was at that time behind a big log and his back was towards the Enemy. The Sergeant too was unaware.

Soon two more Enemy appeared, LCpl Choo who had vainly signaled his Sergeant many times, was desperate. The two Enemy who had come around to where LCpl Choo was, looked around carefully. They suddenly made eye contact with LCpl Choo. The Enemy was surprised and momentarily froze. They reached for their weapons. Before the Enemy could bring a bead on him LCpl Choo opened up with his rifle. LCpl Choo coolly brought aimed fire on the Enemy. He fired snap shots at the Enemy. He did not even flinch, as the enemy rounds whizzed past him. His aim was true. All the three of the Enemy fell, killed by him, in that very short time.

A pistol and two Tommy guns, assorted ammunition and equipment were recovered from the dead Enemy. One of the enemy who was killed was Ngow Lai , who was a Branch Committee Member of the Malayan Communist Party. Ngow Lai was involved in the ambush and the killing of the High Commissioner of Malaya, Sir Henry Gurney in 1951. He was also involved in the killing of Mrs. Nora Stutchbury, wife of the District Officer of Bentong. She was killed along the Kuala Lumpur –Bentong road. in 1950. The other two dead Enemies were Mo Sze Chuan and San Cheng. All were from the 6th Assault Unit.

The shots were heard at the Raub Police station, the Police contacted the Battalion Headquarters. Major F.A.Coombe the Officer Commanding C Company was informed. He was actually watching a movie. He gathered the Company and asked for volunteers to head to Sungei Ruan. With 3 sections of men, a land rover and an armored car, the Company commander moved from Mentakab to Sungei Ruan at 2200 hrs that night. The Company Commander’s intention was to meet up with the Ambush Party. The Company Commander with the help of the Police Special Branch arrived at the ambush location at 0300 hrs on the 20th. The following morning at dawn on the 20th August 1959, a follow up was conducted to see if there were any more Enemy, using tracker dogs. The Unit then moved back to Mentakab.

For valor in the face of the Enemy, in which he killed 3 of the Enemy, Lance Corporal Choo Woh Soon was awarded the “Pingat Gagah Berani”, by His Royal Highness the Second Yang DiPertaun Agong, Sultan Hisamuddin Alam Shah Al-haj ibni Almarhum Sultan Alaiddin Sulaiman Shah on the 4th of January 1961. The award was presented by the third Agong, His Royal Highness Al-Sultan Syed Putra ibni Almarhum Syed Hassan Jamalullail at the Tunku Abdul Rahman Hall in Kula Lumpur on the 5th August 1965, a Thursday.

Choo Who Soon was born in Ipoh, Perak on the 3rd January 1938. He derived his early education at the Chinese School in Tanjung Rambutan, Ipoh. He continued his studies at the Methodist School in Tanjung Rambutan. He went out of Tanjung Rambutan to seek his fortune, to Kuala Lumpur, there he worked as a bar man at the 27th Company Royal Army Service Corps(RASC), after which he journeyed on to Singapore to join the Navy. He was unsuccessful whereby he returned to Kuala Lumpur. He then joined the Army on the 21st January 1956, after being accepted as a recruit of the 1st Battalion Federation Regiment (1st.Bn.Fed.Regt), which later became the 1st Reconnaissance Regiment.

He underwent recruit training for a period of 6 months in Kuala Kangsar, Perak. He went for further courses in Segamat, Johor and Sungei Udang in Malacca. After two years in the Pipes and Drums Platoon of the 1st Federation Regiment he joined C Company and was promoted to a Lance corporal. He was then sent to the Recruit Training Centre to become an instructor. From the 13th January 1962 until 13th July 1962 he was in the Congo as an Armored Vehicle Commander. Apart from that he was sent on a course to New Zealand for the Junior Leaders Tactics Course from the 29th June 1967 until 4th September 1967.

Choo Woh Soon left the service as a Sergeant after serving the nation loyally and gallantly for 21 years. Currently he resides in Kamunting, Perak.

The first Malaysian PGB award receipient in the history of the Malaysian Armed Forces - Sergeant Chong Yong Chin

2006-03-31T05:30:00.000-08:00

Sergeant Chong Yong Chin PGB of the First Federation Regiment

In the operations conducted in 1954/55 the 1st Federation Regiment (1st. Bn. Fed. Regt.) under the command of Lt Col Trevor OBE, the Battalion managed to kill one woman Communist Terrorist. The Enemy was killed at Sungei Bong, Butterworth by a member of No. 8 Platoon, C Company, 1st. Bn. Fed. Regt. The Enemy killed was named Khor Khar Hong, who was 19 years old. In the years 1955/56, the unit was deployed on the borders of Malacca and Muar. Within 24 hours of the operations, 2 Enemy were killed, two were wounded, one later died due to the severity of the wounds, 7 of the Enemy were captured too. On the 26th August 1956, Lau Leo, who was the personal senior assistant to the then the Secretary General of the Malayan Communist Party, Chin Peng and Yeung Kuo was killed by the 1st. Bn. Fed. Regt which at that time was under the command of Lt Col J.H. Law OBE.

In 1956, another Enemy was killed by the members of the 1st. Bn. Fed. Regt. In Operation Latima in the District of Jasin, Malacca. The name of the Enemy was Pang Kong Yee. He was actually wounded by the Police Field Force before being finally killed by the 1st. Bn. Fed. Regt. In that same year another Enemy bearing the name Ah Lau was killed again by the same Regiment. On the 17th July 1957, two Enemy were killed again by the same Regiment in the District of Bahau. The Officers involved in this operation were Lt Low Lai Fook, Lt. Baljit Sing and Lt. Abu Bakar bin Narat. In 1960 1st. Bn. Fed Regt, merged with the 1st Armored Car Regiment to become the 1st Federation Reconnaissance Regiment.

201161 Sergeant Cheng Eng Chin @ Chong Yong Chin was a member of the 1st Battalion Federation Regiment, who participated in all the above mentioned firefights. He displayed extraordinary courage in the face of the Enemy during all these contacts with the Enemy. He was form Gelang Patah in Johor Bahru, Johor. He was born on the 1st December 1930. Sergeant Chong Yong Chin started his Military career on the 17th February 1953. In December of that year he was promoted to a Lance Corporal. In January of 1955 he was promoted to a full Corporal and in November of that same year was promoted to a Sergeant. His fighting skills were legendary.

Throughout his service with the Federation Regiment he participated in numerous battles against the Enemy always displaying his cool leadership and his resolute determination in eliminating the Enemy, he was an exemplary soldier which many found difficult to emulate. His exploits were the talk of his peers, men and Officers of the Regiment. Sergeant Chong Yong Chin was cited for valour by his Officers. He was the first recipient of the Pingat Gagah Berani. The valour award was approved by the first King of Malaya. He received the award on the 5th August 1965, a Thursday at the Dewan Tuanku Abdul Rahman, Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur from the 3rd King of Malaya, His Royal Highness Al-Sultan Syed Putra ibni Al-Marhum Syed Hassan Jamalullail.

He left the service on the 14th September 1958. He served for only 5 years; his rise in ranks was meteoric. He created history by being the first, in receiving a “Pingat Gagah Berani”. He left the service for personal reasons.