The Relocation of LKpl Ungkok ak. Jugam's Grave

The Relocation of LCpl Ungkok ak.Jugam's Grave

LCpl Ungkok ak. Jugam was a soldier of the elite Sarawak Rangers operating alongside the Commonwealth Forces at the height of the First Emergency in Malaya from 1948 to 1960. Attempts to find out how he died was unsuccessful.

However, it was believed that he died in a battle with the communist terrorists in the location where he was buried. His body was never found. The place(in the picture) was then thick jungle. Today, as you can see, it is part of a bustling City of Alor Setar (Km 4, Jalan Langgar).

The British Army tried to move the grave but was unable to because they couldn't locate his next-of-kin - a criteria which must be met.

According to some locals, the dual highway was built between 10 to 15 years ago. As the grave was smack in the middle of the highway, somebody had moved the headstone to the side of the road.

In November last year, I found a write up and the picture of the indignified grave you see below. Shocked, I vowed to take it up to the highest authority.

In conjunction with my book launch by the Chief Minister of Sarawak, Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, on November 6, 2008, I briefed him about the case and at the same time suggesting that Sarawak set up a Heroes Memorial in Kuching and bring back all the remains of the Iban Trackers and Sarawak Rangers killed during the First Emergency and buried in Malaya and Singapore. He agreed to this plan. However, he said, all the next-of-kins must give their written consent.

Sarawak, in particular, the Ibans, must remember the deeds of their forefathers who had been most courageous fighters and the greatest trackers in the world. This is a legacy that the Ibans must preserve for the future generation to see and remember by. Without this memorial, this piece of history will disappear with time.

This is the situation and location of Ungkok's grave when it was found.

On April 28, 2009, the plan to relocate the grave was put in motion. Here some Iban soldiers from 4th Rangers based in Kangar, Perlis are seen clearing the grave.

I was posing with some of the soldiers.

Some of the VIPs present. Right to Left: Me, Col Steven Mundaw representing the Chairman of the Rangers Regiment, Datuk Bandar Alor Setar Dato' Hj Khazali bin Hj Din, Ketua Pengarah Jabatan Hal Ehwal Veteran ATM (JHEV), Major General Dato' Zulkiflee bin Mazlan and Pengerusi Historical Society of Malaysia Kedah Branch.

I with the "Miring men" specially brought from Sarawak.

The miring ceremony in progress. Puan Irene Kilat, a relative of Ungkok is seen on the right.

A fowl is sacrificed and its blood sprinkled on the grave.

After the fowl and the offerings have been buried, the headstone will be removed.

The headstone is removed and brought onto a Land Rover and brought to the new resting place.

This is the new resting place - the burial ground of the Cathiloc Church of St Micheal at Jalan Sultanah.

Placing the headstone on the new plot

Kol Steven Mundaw laying the wreath

Major General Dato' Zulkiflee Mazlan laying the wreath.

Final group photograph at the new grave of LCpl Ungkok.

My heart-felt appreciation to all those who have been lending a hand in making the event a success:

1. Ketua Pengarah JHEV, Maj Gen Dato' Zulkiflee Mazlan.

2. Datuk Bandar Alor Setar Dato' Haji Khazali Hj Din.

3. Rejimen Renjer DiRaja.

4. Bn Ke-4, Rejimen Renjer DiRaja, Kangar, Perlis.

5. Museum TD.

6. Cawangan Trafik Daerah Kota Setar.

7. Jabatan Kerja Raya Daerah Kota Setar.

8. Mutiara HK Enterprise.

9. Gereja Katholik St Micheal, Alor Setar.

10. To all that I may have missed here.

THANK YOU ALL. MAY GOD BLESS YOU ALL.

This was location of the grave after the headstone had been removed.