Saturday 17 December 2011

THE FATES OF SOME IBAN TRACKERS / SARAWAK RANGERS

Sarawak Rangers Veterans Association (SRVA), which I am setting up to help ease the burdens of the ex Iban Trackers, Sarawak Rangers and the Malaysian Rangers, though not officially registered yet has already received a couple of S.O.S from members who have met problems.

CASE NO. 1:         Tracker Dickson Sawing 74 years old, who had found employment as a security guard in Ulu Tiram, Johor, had suddenly fallen ill and partly paralysed after eating a handout given by a good samaritan. He had been living in a shack and out of works for sometime. He was living on handouts from neighbours. The news found its way to me via an acquaintance, Major Ding the Second-In-Command of 3rd Malaysian Rangers based in Kem Oya, Sibu, Sarawak.

The good thing about Malaysians are that, sometimes, in time of needs, there are always people with big hearts who are always willing to help other people in need.

In the case of Tracker Dickson, an ex Navy personnel took Dickson's case and highlighted it in the media. Major (Rtd) Murugayah, who was an ex Malaysian Rangers himself, followed up the case. Major Ding. the Second-In-Command of 3rd Malaysian Rangers called to tell me about the case and said they are going to fly Tracker Dickson back to Sibu, put him up in one of the empty married quarters until such time a house is built for him and wife on their piece of land in Sri Aman, 2nd Division of Sarawak. That is very kind of 3rd Rangers.

However, I was told that, Tracker Dickson will have to stay in Johor Bharu to undergo medical treatment until he is fit to travel. When I contacted Major (Rtd) Andy Murugayah, he said he is willing to pay for Tracker Dickson's and wife's fares to Sibu. Here's another good Samaritan.

Meanwhile Tracker Dickson and wife is now under the care of 1st Malaysian Rangers based in Majidee Camp in Johor Bharu, Johor.

CASE NO. 2:     Sgt (Rtd) Ambau Gerasi, an ex Sarawak Rangers personnel has been in Kuching General Hospital for a medical treatment. Since he is fit to travel back to his hometown in Kapit, he was discharged. However, he needed monetary help to pay for the shipment of his special bed which was presented to him by Persatuan Bekas Tentera Malaysia (PBTM), an ex Army Association, back to Kapit. The cost of shipment is RM450.00. We are awaiting for a good Samaritan to help out.

These are some of the assistances that SRVA can undertake once we are fully operational and have the fund available at hand.

Thank you all for the big heart. God bless you all.

13 comments:

  1. dear Col,

    Rano here, how are you? How to be 'a good samaritan'? where to fund the money? do you have any account number of bank for bank-in? no promises but will try to look for fund somewhere...

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  2. Robert Rizal Abdullah18 December 2011 at 00:31

    Rano,

    Thanks. Very kind of you.

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  3. Robert Rizal Abdullah18 December 2011 at 17:30

    Rano,

    I tried to reach your hand phone but the number has changed. If you read this the a/c number of ex Sgt Ambau's daughter Gloria is Public Bank 4605 1577 34. Can you sms me your h/p no?

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  4. Good that you are "tracking" these stories down!!

    Thanks.

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  5. CY,

    Thanks. Doing whatever I can for my folks.

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  6. Robert,
    You are doing a great job there. Keep it up!

    David
    ex-Borneo

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  7. Col,
    I thought Kapit has PBTM branch.They should look into this matter.Most of the members are ex-Rangers,some of which were his former comrade.
    I can't understand why PBTM did not complete the whole thing by making sure the item sent to his home.

    MERAN UBONG

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  8. Dear Meran,

    Thanks for dropping by. I don't know whether there is a PBTM branch in Kapit but I know there is a Jabatan Hal Ehwal Veteran ATM (JHEV) there with Usa in charge.

    I did told Ambau's family,through another party, to contact JHEV in Satok, Kuching. They did ask JHEV but the reimbursement would take a while. They needed the money fast in order to pay for the shipment of the bed.

    Lucky a good Samaritan came up with the money which was credited into Ambau's daughter's account.

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  9. Dear Robert,

    I'm proud of you so much by doing something most people forget about. you do a great job.

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  10. Thank you Dezz Dean. I do what I can but there are so much constraints and obstacles!

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  11. I am just now watching the History Channel and am hearing about these amazing troops for the first time. What a wonderful thing you are doing not only for the fallen, but for those who are still around to tell their tales. Are your efforts very widely known in Malaysia? Do you have any corporate support from Malaysian companies?

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  12. Dear Nancy,

    I was fully supported both by Sarawak State government and the Federal Government of Malaysia. That was why I was able to realise that mega task.

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  13. Dear Col.,
    Salute 2 U & the whole team in SRVA for the successful dinner a few days ago. I was there representing my late father. I'm sure he would be happy that they were being appreciated for the sacrifices that they've made years ago.

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