Sarawak Rangers Veteran Association membership open to all
Posted on February 22, 2012, Wednesday
KUCHING: Membership to Sarawak Rangers Veteran Association (SRVA) is open not only to former Rangers but to all ex-Malaysian armed forces personnel, their widows and children.
Its pro-tem secretary-general Captain (rtd) Mohd Johari Ibrahim said the association was open to any ex-servicemen, widows or their children irrespective of their corps.
“Although it carries the name ‘Sarawak Rangers Veteran Association’ the association is open to former Iban Trackers, former Sarawak Rangers and former Malaysian Rangers. On top of ex-servicemen from other corps in the Armed Forces those from the Royal Malaysian Air Force and Royal Malaysian Navy are also
welcomed to join as members,” he said.
He told a media conference here yesterday that it should not be misunderstood that the association was only for ex-Sarawak Rangers although it was named as such.
He further explained that the founder of the association had decided to retain the name of Sarawak Rangers out of respect and pride of Sarawakians who served with Iban Trakers, Sarawak Rangers, Malaysian Rangers and the Malaysian Armed Forces in general.
“It is wrong to perceive SRVA as only for ex-Sarawak Rangers. The pro-tem president Lt Col (rtd) Robert Rizal Abdullah and I have never served under Sarawak Rangers because we only joined the Malaysian Army from 1964 to 1969 long after the unit was disbanded on Sept 15, 1963. After that it was replaced by Malaysian Rangers.”
He said the founders of SRVA had decided to form the association after realising that many ex-Rangers and Iban Trackers were not well taken care of.
“By forming SRVA, in line with our motto ‘Agi Idup Agi Nulong’ (as long as we live we will help) we hope the association will strive to help the members in whatever ways possible. SRVA will endeavour to build up its financial capability and standing,” he said.
He said the ex-Rangers were actually way behind other army corps in forming an association.
There are 14 ex-servicemen associations in the country. They are Royal Malay Regiment, Malaysian Special Service Regiment, Signal Regiment, Armor Corp, Engineer Corp, Medical Corp, Intelligence Corp, Military Police and Ordinance Corps, among others.
He said the formation of the various (ex-servicemen) associations was not redundant despite the existence of Ex-Servicemen Association (PBTM) and Armed Forces Veterans Affairs Department (JHEV).
“PBTM and JHEV alone would not be able to focus on one particular regiment as there are too many (regiments) and veterans to look after.
“We cannot put the blame on them (the two organisations) particularly JHEV because we are fully aware of the constraints. That is why we feel that the establishment of associations by the respective services was very vital to assist JHEV especially in reaching out to all veterans to ensure that their welfare is well taken care of,” he said.
He said membership was free-of-charge and those who wished to register can contact him at 012-8909568 or his assistant Major (rtd) Wara at 016-8974147 or come to the State JHEV office at Jalan Satok.
