Tuanku Abdul Halim (left) and Tuanku Hajah Haminah are touched by the pantomime performance (pictured right) which told the story of an attack on the Kuala Krau police station in Pahang on June 26, 1948. In that attack, the heavily pregnant wife of policeman Mohd Yusoff Mohamad, Mahani Konel, was killed while helping her husband defend the station from a communist attack. — Bernama photo
KUALA LUMPUR: The Warriors’ Day 2015 celebration at Dataran Merdeka, here, yesterday was held in full military ceremony to commemorate the day in honour of the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM) and Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
The clear weather yesterday allowed for the historic ceremony to go on smoothly as the highlight of the Warriors’ Day celebration, which began with a special prayer session on Thursday held at the National Mosque.
The Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu’adzam Shah who arrived with the Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tuanku Hajah Haminah, inspected the guard-of-honour comprising members of the Royal Malay Regiment led by Major Herdi Ismail.
This was accompanied by a 21-gun salute by the 41st Battery, Royal Artillery Regiment.
A total of 531 members of the Royal Malaysian Navy, Royal Malaysian Air Force, Army, PDRM, ex-servicemen’s association and ex-policemen’s association took part in the parade.
Also present were Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and wife Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar and Malaysian Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin.
The ceremony began with the sounding of the ‘Last Post’ while the Jalur Gemilang was lowered as a symbolic gesture to remember those who died defending the nation.
This was followed by the reciting of the poem ‘Pahlawan’ by DSP Rose Baini Kassim and ASP Mohamed Mahat to remember the sacrifices of the armed forces and police personnel who were killed defending the nation, as well as those still living.
The poem, written by retired major Mohamed Awang, is synonymous with the celebrations and is read out at every Warriors’ Day celebration.
This year’s celebration here also included a pantomime performance which told the story of the attack on the Kuala Krau police station in Pahang on June 26, 1948, where the wife of policeman Mohd Yusoff Mohamad, Mahani Konel who was heavily pregnant, was killed while helping her husband defend the station from a communist attack.
The couple’s son, Osman Mohd Yusoff, now 72, who was three at the time of the incident, was part of the audience at the performance.
Yet another performance staged was the story of ASP Mohd Zabri Abdul Hamid and Platoon 69 commandos who fought to the death a communist attack in Sungai Siput, Perak in Ops Bamboo 2.
In his last moments, Mohd Zabri who died when he stepped on a booby trap, told his troops: “There is no more hope for me, let me be the only one to die … you who remain, must continue fighting.”
At the end of the two performances, Osman (Mohd Yusoff’s son) and six retirees of VAT 69 who were part of the Bamboo 2 operations in 1975 were presented to the Agong.
Later, the tune ‘Rouse’ was played while the Jalur Gemilang was hoisted to fire up the spirits of members of the military and police who continue to defend the nation’s sovereignty and peace.
After that, ‘Daulat Tuanku’ was cried out three times as a symbolic gesture of loyalty from the security forces and people to His Majesty.
July 31 has been set as Warriors’ Day each year to commemorate the declaration of the end of the 12-year Emergency period in 1960.
The ceremony this year was the fifth held at Dataran Merdeka after it was moved from the National Monument in 2010.
Last year, the ceremony was, however, held at the Sungai Besi main camp.
In Ipoh, the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah also attended the Perak Warriors Day 2015 at the Dataran Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan.
Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abdul Kadir, Perak police chief Datuk Osman Salleh and Second Brigade Commander, Brigadier-General Mohammad Abd Rahman.
In Alor Setar, Tunku Temenggong Tan Sri Tunku Sallehudin Almarhum Sultan Badlishah, who is also the chairman of the Kedah Regency Council, attended the state Warriors’ Day celebrations at the Memorial in Jalan Tunku Bendahara.
Also present were Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Mukhriz Tun Mahathir, exco members and senior state officials as well as Kedah police chief Datuk Zamri Yahya.
In Shah Alam, Tengku Panglima Diraja Selangor Tengku Sulaiman Shah attended the special prayer session held in conjunction with the 2015 Warriors’ Day celebrations at the Sultan Salahuddin Abdul Aziz Shah Mosque.
The event which was held in memory of the sacrifices of the security forces, was attended by Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali. — Bernama