I dreamed of becoming a fearsome Iban Warrior like my warrior forefathers.

Since I was a small boy, my elders used to tell me stories of valour of the Iban mythical warriors through their nightly story-telling. Then, much later, stories of the brave Iban soldiers at war in Malaya seeped out to us. All these were fuel that burned my desire to join the Army, where I could realize my dream.

I was born Madang ak Langi in a long house called Lachau Ili in Simanggang on 10 October 1948. At the age of 6 years I was brought by my policeman elder brother, Upi, to Kapit, an inland town on the Rejang River where I began my schooling. After two years he was transferred to Lutong, and I continued into Primary three and four. After another two years he was transferred to Bintulu where I completed my Primary education. Thereon, I was selected to continue into my secondary education in Tanjong Lobang School in Miri where I stayed for five years. It was here that the Army found me. It was love at first sight. I was selected to be a Military Cadet Officer in the Royal Military College, Sg Besi where I underwent two rigorous years of training. On completion, I was commissioned into the Malaysian Rangers Corp and joined 3rd Rangers, a fighting Unit where I realized my life-long dream in becoming a fighter and a warrior.

When I joined the Battalion in May 1969, I was raring to fight like a fighting cock. Assigned a Rifle Platoon and given an area of responsibility in Sg Ngemah, a tributary of the mighty Rejang River, I conducted intensive patrols and eagerly looking for a fight. Sadly, at that point of time, the CTs hadn’t embark on their armed conflict. The Battalion returned to Taiping, Perak after the one-year-tour of duty in Sarawak and was intensively involved in operations against the CTs in the Northern sector of Malaya especially Perak and Kedah.

AMBUSH AT SG KUAK, KROH, PERAK.

On April 20, 1970, a Section of C Coy was ambushed and 7 of the nine-men- team were killed. We silently vowed revenge and a year later we had the opportunity when we cordoned off a group of 8 CTs. In the four-days operation nicknamed Operation Radak, we eliminated 7 of them. I was in a Cordon force and was not involved in the battle. I could only hear the sounds of battle and prayed the CTs would run my way. My wish was not granted.

MY DREAM REALISED AT LAST

After the success of Operation Radak, 3rd Rangers’ popularity shot to the forefront. In 1973, it was earmarked for a one-year-tour of duty in Sarawak to curb the escalating CT threat there. That year became the Battalion’s best achievement and for me it was the height of my career and the year I realized and achieved my dream to be a fighter and a warrior.

FIRST BATTLE
OPERATION JELAKU 3. 28 JANUARY 1973.

My first contact with the CTs on 28 January 1973 in Sarawak.

I was promoted to a Lieutenant and prior to leaving for the Sarawak tour, I was ordered to be the Battalion’s Strike Force Commander. The Strike Force was called Lightning Platoon or in BM “ Platun Kilat”. It was expected to strike the enemy like a lightning. The men came from the Rifle Coys. In all I had about 20 men under my command, well short of a normal platoon strength as the Rifle Coys were also understrength themselves.

We assembled soon after our arrival in Serian Camp and almost immediately, we were required to assist C Coy who had made contact with a group of CTs in Nonok, a swampy area 40km East of Kuching. Due to the inaccessibility of the area, we were airlifted by Nuri into the area. It was impossible to see tracks either made by the CTs or by own troops as the area was mostly under water. It was the height of the monsoon season.

After two days of searching, we accidently detected the rattles of empty tins, presumably a CT sentry giving the alarm to his comrades. I decided to check it out and moved towards the location of the sound with a Section each to my left and right flanks. After about 100 meters, I heard the unmistakeable sounds of an automatic rifle fire to my right flank and a shout of “musuh hadapan!” (enemy infront!). I hastened my pace and found myself in a clearing, used as a temporary resting place of the CTs. There were firings to my left and right. I saw splashes of bullets in the water on my left. Bad shot! I saw, in a fleeting second, a figure darted behind a huge tree. I waited for him to reappear which he did. In that split second, I fired a couple of short burst from my Baretta 5.56mm rifle. I saw he stumbled backward as my bullets ripped into him. He was one of the two CTs we killed in that contact. From the traces left by them, there were probably no more than 5 of them.

SECOND BATTLE.
OPERATION BERUANG 1. 21 MAY 1973.

A fire fight with 4th Leader of 3rd Coy PARAKU on 21 May 1973 in Serian

By May 1973, after the Battalion’s intensified operations, the 3rd Coy PARAKU operating in Serian District was dealt a crippling blow. Many of their members were killed. They were broken up and were trying to regroup.
On May 20, 1973, one of them surrendered to the Police and gave the information that called for Kilat platoon to take action. From what the SEP said, members of 3rd Coy PARAKU planned to rendezvous (RV) at a location not far from Balai Ringin on May 21, 1973. My Kilat platoon was to intercept and take the appropriate actions.

We moved at about 0300 hours on May 20, 1973 in two 3 tonners and one Land Rover. The Police Special Branch Officer came with me in the Land Rover. We debussed about one kilometer from the CT’s point of rendezvous with the intention of reaching it at first light. The location was deserted. The SB Officer found a Dead-Letter-Box (DLB) at the base of a big tree with a message written in Chinese “ Follow the track Westward. When you come to a big log knock repeatedly.” I weighed the two possibilities: ambush the RV or follow the instruction on the DLB. As it was not possible to make an ambush on the RV, I decided to follow the instruction on the DLB. We had barely moved more than 30 minutes along a track when my leading scouts fired a few bursts with his Baretta 5.56mm Rifle which was given to the Battalion for trial purposes. On hearing the shots I ran forward and met my two scouts on the other side of a dry stream. They were standing near a fire with a pot of rice over it. The CTs were preparing breakfast. “Where did the CTs run?” I asked them and they pointed in a direction. I could hear the sounds of the CTs bashing through the thick undergrowth. Without hesitation, I decided to pursue them.

After about an hour, I finally caught up with them in a swamp. I could hear their splashing as they trashed through the deep water. I decided to give them a chance to come out alive and called out for them to surrender “ Surrender or we will shoot!” In reply, they fired a number of bursts from a weapon which was most probably AK 47. In response, I and my two scouts returned fire.

After that, I and my two men jumped into the chest – deep swamp. By the sounds of the CTs were making I was no more than 30 meters away. I lobbed two V40 mini grenade at them and continued following the traces they had made. After 50 meters we reached high ground and there we found the body of the fourth leader of 3rd Coy PARAKU with a gaping wound on his back inflicted by my grenade. The CTs were apparently a husband and wife team on their way to RV with the others. The wife escaped into the villagers’ numerous pepper gardens.

OP JELAKU 6. 4 – 12 OCTOBER 1973.
ATTACK ON THE CAMP OF 1ST COY PARAKU.

Attack on 1st Coy PARAKU Camp on 11 October 1973

I was promoted to Captain in July 1973. As a Captain, I should be commanding a Rifle Company but there was no vacancy at that time. So I remained as Kilat Platoon Commander. In October 1973, Officer Commanding D Company, Captain Ahmad Raffie was posted out to KL and I was immediately available to take over. Almost immediately my Company was sent in to search out the elusive and intact 1st Company PARAKU under the command of Commissar Bong Kee Chok. They were operating in the 1st and 2nd Division of Sarawak.

The Intelligence
It was deduced that based on sighting reports at the outskirts of the Nonok peninsula, a low-lying, swampy area, about 40km East of Kuching, 1st Coy PARAKU must be operating from a Firm Base. I was given a map square as the most likely location of the Firm Base. That map square became the focus of my mission.

The Insertion
As Nonok was not accessible by road, my Rifle Company was inserted by Nuri helicopter on October 4, 1973 to a landing point especially constructed for the insertion by an Engineer Section in the heart of Nonok peninsula.

The Search
Immediately after we had landed, I broke up my Company into three groups. Platoon 10, under the command of Sgt Zakaria, moved on my right flank while Platoon 12 commanded by Second Lieutenant Zainil Anuar moved on my left flank. Platoon 11 had no Platoon Commander, so it moved with my Company Headquarters. We began the search in that formation towards the target map square which was about 10 km to the North from where we were.

First Contact
October 6, 1973
On October 6, 1973 at about 10am, which happened to be my 26th birthday, Platoon 12 made contact with a group of Communist Terrorists (CT) and in the fire fight, the Platoon’s leading scout was killed. The Platoon immediately made a follow up and found an old and large empty camp. We found the Firm Base predicted in the intelligence.

We made a search around the Camp and found a two or three-days old well-trodden track heading South. Judging by the track, the whole of the 70-odd strength of the 1st Company PARAKU was in the Camp. I decided to make a deliberate follow up.

The Deliberate Follow Up
7 – 10 October 1973.
My plan was for Platoon 12 to be the lead platoon in the follow up. My Coy Hq and Platoon 11 moved about 3000 meters behind and Platoon 10 was to bring up the rear at about the same distance. We began the follow up in the early morning of 7 October 1973. The traces made by the CTs were getting fresher by the day. On October 10, 1973, Platoon 12 found a place where the CTs had made a night stop. Surprisingly, they left the place clean. There was no litter. Only the flattened undergrowth and young trees were the give – away evidences that they had made a camp there.

I noticed the track was consistently heading in a South Easterly direction towards the wide Sadong River. I was concerned that they might crossed the River. If they could do that I might lose them. I communicated with my Battalion Tactical Headquarters on my concern. I was later told that the Police Field Force units were patrolling and keeping watch on the River.

The second contact
October 10, 1973.
At about 1000 hours on October 10, 1973, the lead platoon made contact with the rear element of 1st Coy PARAKU and two CTs were eliminated. I quickened my pace and at about 1100 hours, I regrouped with the lead platoon.

At this point, I took stock of the situation to help me decide on the best course of action. The lead platoon, especially after their fight with the CTs, needed to be rested. So I gave 2Lt Zainil Anuar the task of making a winching point to extract the two bodies of the CTs out.

Relentless Follow up
The other points that concerned me was the proximity of Sadong River from my location. According to the map, the river was approximately 5000 meters away and the CTs must be very much closer. I was very sure their intention was to cross the river to escape from me. I cannot waste any more time and decided to continue the follow up with Platoon 11. After a quick lunch I moved following the fresh track made by an estimated 70 CTs.

I decided to move fast and made a night follow up. I brought fifteen men and left six behind, enough to fend for themselves and to guard our packs. We brought along a few torch lights and armed only with our Baretta 5.56mm rifles. I regretted for not taking along our claymore mines and light machine gun. If I had, we would have killed many more CTs.

In trying to catch up with the CTs, we skipped our habitual dinner. Night came much earlier in the jungle. It was already dark by 1900 hours. In a swamp and in pitch darkness, even with torch lights, it was almost impossible to see the traces made by the CTs. What helped me was that the direction the CTs were heading was consistently in a South Easterly direction towards the Sadong River. So I used my magnetic compass to keep me going in the same direction. Nature also helped me to find out whether or not I was on the CT track. On the jungle floor, at night, certain fungus emitted luminous light. Where there was a big break in the white light on the jungle floor, that was the place that had been trodden by the CTs.

By 2100 hours, our torch lights ran out of battery but we kept going in tight single file to ensure no one strayed out of the group. I was behind my leading scout in order to keep our direction right. By 2300 hours, we began to feel exhausted, cold and hungry. The drizzle hadn’t stop since we began the search. We were soaked to the skin and our feet were always wet since the day we landed in our AO. Mosquitos attacked us in swamps. Our focus was foremost on engaging the CTs and all else were just minor obstacles. Around 2330 hours, my Company Sergeant Major (CSM), WO2 Norizan Bakri, approached me and said, “ Tuan, the boys are tired, I suggest we stop where we are for a rest and continue first thing tomorrow morning.” I sympathised with the men. I knew I was pushing them beyond their limit but I couldn’t stop midway. I knew the CTs were not far in front of me. Anyway, I had to strike a balance. “Ok Encik, we continue for another hour, if we still don’t meet the CTs we will stop for the night.” I told my CSM.

Fate was on my side. Before the hour was over, my leading scout, LKpl Peter Bat Wan, whispered to me, “Tuan, I can smell the smoke of mosquito coils.” At that moment, the rain came down in torrents. It was a blessing in disguise. It hid whatever noises we made and it kept the CTs within their tents. I took advantage of the torrential rain and went further forward with my leading scout to ascertain his finding. Sure enough, we could see some flickering lights from torch lights. That was it! We had found the 1st Coy PARAKU at last!

The Attack Plan
I withdrew some distance further back in order to issue my attack orders to my men. My plan was to attack the CTs at 0630 hours on October 11, 1973. I knew there were about 70 members of 1st Coy PARAKU in the camp. I had only 15 men but I had the overwhelming advantages. Firstly, all of us were armed with an automatic rifle. Some of the CTs were armed with AK 47 they had acquired from the Indonesian Army who trained them in Kalimantan in the 50s and 60s. Some were armed with home-made shotguns. Secondly, I had a complete surprise factor. The CTs were totally unaware of our presence.

I divided my fifteen men into two groups – the Assault Group of seven men under my command and the Cut-Off Group of eight men under my CSM. The H Hour was at 0630 hours or at the sound of my rifle fire if I couldn’t keep to the timing.

The Attack
The Cut-Off Group went immediately to take up their positions behind the CT camp as soon as the orders was given at about 0200 hours, to take advantage of the still torrential rain. Some of them, in the pitch-dark night, accidently bumped into the CT tents on their way to take their positions.

Meanwhile, I took the six-men Assault Group to take cover behind a buttress root of a huge tree to take a rest before we moved to take up our positions for the assault. My plan was to move in at about 0500 hours. However, by 0400 hours, the CTs had woken up and kindled a fire. The heavy rain had also fizzled down to drizzles and I was worried if it stop completely, our movements could be heard by the CTs. I decided to move to take up our assault positions at 0400 hours before the rain stop completely. Movements were slow as our legs were up to our knees in the swamp and we had to make sure we did not make too much sound that could alert the CTs who were already up and about around a bonfire they had lighted.

It took me a good half an hour to cover the hundred meters or so to my position. I was directly in front of the bonfire. I could see the CTs going to and fro around the fire. They were apparently drying their wet clothes and cooking breakfast.

By 0600 hours, daylight began to brighten the jungle. By then the CTs were looking restless. Only a couple of them were around the fire. At 0615 hours the trees began to take shape and I could see the ground and trees around me. I realized I was without cover and if the CTs were to look in my direction, they could see me. I could not wait for the H Hour at 0630 hours. I lobbed my M26 grenade at the bonfire and it made a splash in a puddle of water and did not explode. The CTs turned to look at the splash and I could feel their anxiety. I didn’t hesitate and quickly grabbed my baretta and fired a number of bursts at them. Hell broke loose. My men on my right also fired into the camp. I could hear shouts and screams in Chinese giving orders for their comrades to run. For a split second I heard and saw flashes of fire from the muzzle of a weapon barely ten feet to my left. I could hear splashes in the swamp to my left. I followed and fired as I went after them. I stopped after a hundred meters or so as I was concerned they might regroup and make a counter attack. So I quickly went back to the CT camp and called for my soldiers to regroup. The CT camp was covered by white and acrid smoke of gun fire.

We searched the Camp and found it was strewn and in disarray. There were blankets and packs left behind. A transistor radio was still playing a Chinese music. We found seven CTs dead – four women and three men. Our own casualty were one KIA and one WIA.

Bong Kee Chok was not with his men at that time, as he was negotiating his surrender. That attack was definitely the straw that broke the camel’s back. A couple of weeks after the attack, 1st Coy PARAKU gave up their struggle under Op Sri Aman in Simanggang, Sarawak.

Recognition by the Nation

I and LKpl Ahmad Adnan were conferred the Panglima Gagah Berani while LKpl Peter Bat Wan was conferred the Mention-In-Dispatches.