My soldier, a bobby trap victim: lost and found.

In 1976, 3rd Battalion, The Malaysian Rangers was a part of a Divisional Group operating deep in South Thailand alongside the Thai Military Forces. Forty kilometres to be exact - in an area called Ban To.

The area showed signs of the presence of the Communist Terrorists (CTs): Terrains above 1000ft was said to be bobby trapped. Well-used tracks hugging the Malaysian-Thai Border existed. There were many spent rifle cartridges found in open spaces and well-used tracks. We were told the CTs used to shoot at the Royal Malaysian Air Force helicopters flying in the vicinity.

Towards the end of the joint operation, 3rd Rangers became the stay-behind party - all other forces were withdrawn from the area.

With the help of a Special Government Agent (SGA), I located the vegetable plot where the SGA used to work in from 0600 to 1900 hours daily. I scanned the surrounding area with my binocular and saw a few CTs climbing up a slope with sacks on their back. I knew there were CTs in a hut whose roof top was just visible from where I was about 600m on another ridge. I saw a sentry under a papaya tree looking the opposite direction.

I made a plan to attack them and called the rest of my "C" Company to rendezvous with me (I was actually on a reconnaissance patrol and had only 5 men with me). By the time we were ready, it was already quite late. After unsuccessfully trying to bear artillery fire on the target, I decided to "soften" the target area with my own company support weapons - a 60mm mor, a GPMG and a 40mm M79 Grenade Launcher. After about 5 minutes of heavy fire, I sent down a platoon to search the area. No CTs.

Early the next day, we swept and searched the area again. I heard a loud explosion and cringed at the thought that one of my men had stepped on a bobby trap. My fear was confirmed when I heard a shout. I went to the location and saw one of my men lying on the ground with his left foot shattered. Even after 3 jabs of morphine, he was still groaning in pain. An hour later, a helicopter came to pick him up and sent him to the nearest hospital in Penang. That was the last I saw of Ranger Amiruddin.                                                     

I met him yesterday (3 July 2011) at a get-together organised by a few of my ex soldiers - retired WO2 Asri Yusof and retired SSjn Mohd Mokhtar in Taman Ria, Sg Petani, Kedah. I couldn't even remember his name, let alone recognise him. It was not until our conversations had drifted to Operation Cahaya Bena in 1976 in South Thailand that somebody pointed him out to me. All these years, I had been trying to remember him but just couldn't. It had been a long 25 years.

According to him he was in GH Penang for 3 months. His left foot was amputated below the knee, immediately.

At the moment he is living solely on his pension. What are his hopes? Looking forward to the promise made by the former Defence Minister on an invalidity allowance for bobby trapped victims. Can the Government make good the promise? Let's hope this article gets to the right ears.

Rgr Amiruddin flanked by me on the left and my "batman" (retired WO 1 Azmi (RSM MTD)) during that operation.

Reunion at WO2 Asri's house in Taman Ria, Sg Petani, Kedah.

WO2 Asri is seated on the left.

The Letter that launched Operation Ngerapuh.

This was The Letter that launched Operation Ngerapuh, now renamed Operation Mai Pulai (a move to bring home the remains of the Iban Trackers and Sarawak Rangers killed in actions and buried in various parts of Malaya and Singapore). The heart-breaking picture of the road-side grave of a Sarawak Ranger killed in action against the communist terrorists at the height of the Malayan Emergency 1948 - 1960, moved me to take the necessary actions.

I saw and read the appeal in a blog. I immediately tried to do something worthwhile. It compounded me why the grave was left where it was. Nobody seemed to care and moved it to a more respectable and dignified location, befitting a soldier who had sacrificed his life to defend this country.

It dawned on me that if the Authorities were nonchalant about one grave, it could happen to the other 20 Iban Trackers and Sarawak Rangers graves in other parts of Malaya and Singapore. I decided to make a move to make Sarawak realised that her dead heroes are buried, scattered and neglected in Malaya.

In conjunction with my book launch by the Chief Minister of Sarawak on 6 November 2008 in Kuching, I prepared the necessary letter and documents that I intended to hand over to the Chief Minister when I briefed him on the situation.

I was pleasantly surprised when he agreed to my proposal to bring back the remains of the Iban Trackers and Sarawak Rangers to Kuching and rebury them in a Heroes Memorial. He gave me one term - that all next-of-kins must give their consents.

I set up a committee to do the necessary ground works and I travelled to Kuching quite often from my home base in Taiping, Perak.




The CM, Pehin Seri Abdul Taib Mahmud launched my books on 6 November 2008 in his office.

Discussing the issue with the CM and his Deputy Tan Sri Alfred Jabu ak. Numpang. Kanang ak. Langkau SP, PGB is on the right.






Immediately on my return from Kuching, I wrote a letter to Jabatan Hal Ehwal Veteran ATM (JHEV) about LKpl Ungkok's road-side grave. Four months later, JHEV exhumed and moved the grave to a Christian Cemetery nearby in full Iban tradition.  Thanks JHEV for the quick action.
                                                       

The "miring ceremony" - an Iban tradition.

The VIPs including Alor Setar's Mayor, JHEV's Director, Maj Gen Dato' Zulkifli, Kol Steven Mundaw in his capacity as a senior Iban military officer, Maj Monday Juhid Director of JHEV Sarawak Branch and yours truly.

Before

                                                 After



Moving Operation Ngerapuh Machinery

I had to garner supports for the projects. Luckily for me, I got acquainted with the Editor and officers of Sarawak's major daily paper, The Borneo Post. Through them, I had the project well publicised.



Forming a committee

Paid a courtesy call on YB Dato Seri William Mawan

(in the absence of Deputy CM, YAB Tan Sri Alfred Jabu)

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Briefing Tan Sri Alfred Jabu on the project.

The first State-level meeting on Op Ngerapuh

chaired by the Deputy CM, YAB Tan Sri Alfred Jabu.

Me and my committee seen here with the Deputy Chief Minister, YAB Tan Sri Alfred Jabu.

                                         

Nation's Full Support

Then, on 23 February 2010, Operation Ngerapuh received the biggest boost. The Prime Minister, YAB Dato Seri Mohd Najib Bin Tun Abdul Razak during his visit to Sarawak announced his full support to bring the remains of the Iban Trackers and Sarawak Rangers home to Kuching. The task was now in the Federal Government's hands. The Army has been tasked to spearhead the move. A week later, I received a call from the acting Chairman of the Malaysian Rangers Corp, Brig Gen Dato Zulkifli Mansor in Ipoh, to brief him on what had happened.

Briefing Acting Rangers Corps Chairman, Brig Gen Datuk Zulkifli

on Op Ngerapuh / Mai Pulai. The Army has been tasked to take over

responsibility.

A Documentary film on the Iban Trackers and Sarawak Rangers in the making.

I think, it was worth the while. After highlighting predicaments and the exploits of the little-known Iban Trackers and Sarawak Rangers for the last 3 years, my efforts have finally began to bear fruits - the general public are more aware of the role and sacrifices these elite fighters had made during the Malayan Emergency 1948 - 1960.                  

A film production company by the name of "Million Frames Sdn Bhd" began to probe for leads and the right materials for their project on " The Iban Trackers". About a month ago they called and singled me out, after having located and read my blog. I would like to think, they were not wrong.

They had wanted to hook themselves to my plan to locate and interview as many of the 70-odd living members of this brave fighters as possible. But alas! I had to postpone it to after the fasting month, possibly in September 2011.

Anyway, while waiting for that trip to materialise, they coaxed the shy me into becoming an actor to relate all that I know about the Iban Trackers and Sarawak Rangers. The session started with the shootings in Taiping Lake Garden in the morning and towards late afternoon we went to Kamunting Christian Cemetery where there are 4 Sarawak Rangers graves. Here are some of the scenes:



Further shootings, my final parts, were done in Kapit on 23 and 24 September 2011. A pity, the team didn't follow me to Rh Ajai in Baleh, where I stayed for 2 nights and to watch the launching of the Baleh Rafting Safari race on 23 September 2011 as they arrived in Sibu a little late for the event.

Update 19 November 2011

Here is segments of the almost completed documentary film.

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/47737731/iban%20trackers/OFFLINE%20IBAN%20PART%201_1.wmv

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/47737731/iban%20trackers/OFFLINE%20IBAN%20PART%202_1.wmv

http://dl.dropbox.com/u/47737731/iban%20trackers/OFFLINE%20IBAN%20PART%203-4_1.wmv

 

MANAGING / CURING DIABETIC WOUNDS TO PREVENT AMPUTATION.

Diabetes sufferers need not worry about amputation of their limbs. We have a simple, cheap and yet effective treatment, without the use of medicine.

Read this link for further details. Please pass this to friends in need.

The link:  http://bioauracurativewater.blogspot.com/

Before treatment

Six weeks after treatment

The Awesome Beauty and Serenity of Temenggor Lake.

The construction of Temenggor Dam in mid 70s has changed a major portion of Belom Forest Reserve in Perak into a vast lake.                                                                                                                                 

I had my share in guarding the construction site and protecting the Japanese workers from the communist harassment, who saw the dam as a major threat to their existence. Their movements would be limited and would take many times longer. When the dam was completed and the area inundated, a couple of Orang Asli settlements were submerged. Many small islands were created. Some of these islands were given to major companies / conglomerate to develop into tourism attraction. A few did try but couldn't sustain the business and had to close down. Today, only an island called Pulau Sri Undangan belonging to the Army is still operating to cater for demands of those people who seek the peace and adventure Temenggor could offer.

There are 5 chalets. They could accomodate about 60 people. Bathrooms are provided with water from the lake. Cooking is done by a section of Askar Wataniah who also provide security. A generator provides the requirement for the lighting and music for the karaoke session. Be warned, swimming in the lake is forbidden and if you must, do it in the area designated as the edge of the lake is usually a sharp drop because the islands are tips of mountains/hills. Those interested to make use of the place can call 013 5231265 (SSjn Gus) or 019 4562890 (Major Kubra).                                                                                                

How to get there.
Transports will be provided to get you to the Temenggor Dam jetty. The journey will take approximately 1 hour from the town of Grik. From the jetty, boats will be provided to ferry you to the island. Safety of passengers are paramount and life jackets are provided for each and everyone. The journey back will be similar.                                                                                                                                                

What are the programs available?
Check with the persons above. Fishing is one popular outing and be sure you bring good and strong lines, hooks and rods. Baits will be provided but it will be an added advantage if you can bring extras. A visit to an Orang Asli village is also one popular program.

Sri Undangan Island is on the left of this picture.

Hauntingly and mystically beautiful sceneries like these will greet visitors.

Herbal Cure for Diabetes and Hypertension.

Warrant Officer 2 Idrus Ismail (Rtd) is one very enterprising ex-soldier since he retired from the Ordnance Corp eleven years ago. He has found his niche in the herbal industry and is renown to many major herbal traders in the country. He started small by selling a number of famous products for the cure of diabetes and high blood pressure. Today, he has his own brand of herbal cure for the same ailments - a joint venture has with a medicinal factory. Here he is seen with some of his products at one of his outlets in the Kamunting Sunday Market.This is one of his major product   - tea bags of Mahkota Dewa fruits, a cure for diabetes and high blood pressure.

His latest product - 3 in 1 coffee made from the Mahkota Dewa fruits.

The coffee powder in sachets of 15.

He supplies in bulk or in retail. Those interested can contact him at 05 - 891 6149 or 019 422 2458. You can browse his website.mahkotadewamonkisent.wordpress.com/

Dreaming Up a Modern Iban Long House in Sarawak.

During the 78th Army Day Anniversary in Kuala Lumpur on 6 March 2011, I met a fellow retiree. "Would I like to build a new long house for free for my folks back home?" I heard what he said and thought it was one big joke! Nevertheless, I was curious and decided to probe deeper.

"How much would this "good Samaritan" chip in to build the long house?" I inquired.

I couldn't believe it (I still don't) when he said "about RM5 million". That is a lot of money to part with - especially when there are no returns expected or demanded.

Still unbelieving, I inquired further, " What is this "good Samaritan" expecting to get out of this project?" I know, most people don't simply give anything out unless they get something in return.

" Nothing." was the reply.

I was even more unconvinced but decided to play along. I was asked to come up with a plan of my new long house that retains the traditional facets while injecting the modern aspects for better comforts. Below are the plan.

Rear view

Front View. Notice the balcony and car porch.

A double storey long house. First floor is where the living room, dining and kitchen are. The second floor has 3 bedrooms with bathrooms attached and a balcony for extra comforts.

The "Ruai" - Common Verandah is maintained. This is an important part of a long house. It is here that festivities and other important functions are held.

Let's pray, this "Good Samaritan" keeps his promise. Other than extra works, I have nothing to lose - if this man decided not to keep his words.

An after thought: ANY CHARITABLE DONORS OUT THERE?