My father deserves greater respect — Kanang’s son

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KUCHING: Almost two years after the demise of the nation’s most decorated war hero Datuk Temenggong Kanang Langkau, his grave remains shambolic.

I am disheartened and frustrated when I see my father’s grave without a headstone and not given the respect and honour as told. How long does it take to build a grave for the country’s hero?
Cpl Langgi, Kanang’s son.
The state of Kanang’s grave. The nation’s most decorated hero is buried here along with the remains of 21 brave Iban Trackers and Sarawak Rangers who fought against the communists during the Malayan Insurgency. At right is the grave of DSP Michael Padel. — Photo by Chimon Upon

Langgi beside a portrait of his late father.

It is most unfitting to commemorate a Pingat Gagah Berani (PGB) and Sri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) recipient.

Kanang’s family members were dismayed at the pitiful condition of his final resting place – the Heroes’ Grave at Jalan Budaya here – when they visited it on All Souls’ Day last weekend.

They hoped the relevant authority would act quickly to give the late Kanang the respect he deserved.

Kanang’s son, Cpl Langgi, 33, said his family was prepared to build a proper grave for their father at the memorial site, if permission was given.

In fact, Kanang’s six children are also contemplating relocating his remains to Simanggang to honour their father’s wishes.

Langgi said money was not an issue then and now, and neither was the family expecting charity from the government to build a proper grave.

“We wanted to bury our father at a cemetery in Sutong after he passed away, but we were told by a senior minister that the government would handle everything. I remembered the words clearly.

“The minister said although Kanang is my father, his body is the property of the government. Let the government have this honour of arranging the wake and funeral service.

“He (minister) called and told us not to worry and that the whole expenses would be borne by the state. They wanted to build a proper grave.

“Now, I am disheartened and frustrated when I see my father’s grave without a headstone and not given the respect and honour as told. How long does it take to build a grave for the country’s hero?” the father of two asked The Borneo Post when contacted yesterday.

Meanwhile, state Veterans Affairs Department (JHEV) director Lt Col Monday Juhid hoped anang’s family members would remain patient as there was a plan to upgrade and build proper graves for all those buried at the Heroes’ Grave.

“The plan to repair and upgrade the memorial grave is ready for implementation. The relevant government agency is only waiting for the budget allocation.”

Kanang, a retired Warrant Officer One, was among a few people to be conferred the SP and PGB gallantry awards while still alive. He had served in the Eighth Royal Ranger Regiment until his retirement after serving in the military for 21 years.

He was honoured for his bravery during an encounter with communist insurgents at Tanah Hitam, Perak in early 1980, during which he was shot three times. Five insurgents and a soldier were killed, while another was seriously injured in the battle.

He was then tasked to lead the Unit Combat Intelligence Platoon of the Eighth Battalion Ranger to seek and destroy a group of communists in February 1980. For his bravery in battle, he was awarded the SP and PGB medals by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Sultan Ahmad Shah on June 3, 1981.

Born in Julau on March 2, 1945, Kanang joined the Sarawak Rangers, which was then part of the British army, as an Iban tracker on April 21, 1962. He was absorbed into the Malaysian Rangers following the formation of Malaysia in 1963.

Kanang received a funeral service with military honours at the Heroes’ Grave on Jan 6, 2012, a day after he died. He collapsed while watching television at his home at Sg Apong here, shortly after complaining of chest pain. An ambulance rushed him to Sarawak General Hospital, but he was already pronounced dead. He was 68.