FINAL RESTING PLACE: Officers carrying special wooden boxes that contain the remains of the 21 heroes to their new resting place.
KUCHING: They fought and died for the freedom of their country. They were buried abroad and thought never to return. But some 50 years later, they are finally home.
The 21 Iban trackers and Sarawak Rangers, who fought gallantly against the communists in the peninsula during the Malayan Insurgency, were given top honour and accolades they rightly deserved during the burial of their remains at the Heroes Grave of Jalan Taman Budaya here yesterday.
Completed with the playing of the Last Post, lowering of the national flag and laying of wreaths, some 350 friends, family members and dignitaries, including Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang and Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong, were in attendance in a solemn yet beautiful ceremony.
Also present were a host of decorated army veterans such as the man who initiated the operation Lt Col (rtd) Robert Rizal Abdullah, Warrant Officer 1 (rtd) Temenggong Kanang Langkau, Warrant Officer II (rtd) Sengalang Uyang, First Division Army Infantry Commander Maj-Gen Dato Awie Suboh and Ninth Brigade commander Brigadier General Stephen Mundaw.
“It was not easy to locate the family members of our fallen heroes to get their consent when we initiated the operation to transfer their remains. Now, our 21 heroes can rest in peace at their own homeland,” said Taib in his speech.
He added that the heroes had shown tremendous patriotism and fighting spirit when they volunteered to fight in the peninsula. The heroes had gone to help their neighbours knowing full well that if Malaya fell, the state would be taken over as well.
“Iban trackers and Sarawak Rangers are known to be the bravest among the lot. They are always at the front line. Their bravery and skills in tracking down the enemies successfully fend off the communists and halt the insurgency. Their struggles to help our neighbours have become a self struggle for the peace and freedom of our land,” Taib said.
He stressed that the progress and development that the people enjoyed today was down to the sacrifices of these heroes.
“I am honoured to be here on this historic day.”
Jabu, who also spoke, rendered a special tribute to the fallen heroes by reading an Iban poem.
“I give my highest respect to the Iban trackers and Sarawak Rangers who have fought so brave, giving their life to the country. It is only right that they should be given the highest honour.
“They are the bravest among the brave, nor do they fear their enemies, guns or death to free the country from the communist threat. Today marks a historic chapter in the state.”
Meanwhile, Robert also paid tribute to the 21 fallen heroes by reading a poem entitled ‘In Honour of the Iban Warriors’. In fighting his emotion, he stopped halfway in between his reading to hold back his tears.
Regretting the street protest that occurred recently, he reminded: “It is not easy to build a nation. Destroying it, however, can be done in the blink of an eye.”
Robert initiated efforts to bring back the trackers and rangers upon learning of an unmarked hero’s grave in Perak through a blog. The grave was located beside a road. In 2008, he mooted the idea of `Ops Mai Pulai’ (‘coming home’ in Iban).
The emotionally-charged ceremony yesterday saw the remains given a proper heroes burial by army officers, followed by flag presentations by Taib to the relatives of the heroes. Jabu and Mundaw then led the laying of wreaths. Kanang also led the ‘miring’ ceremony before the burial.
The 21 heroes, killed in action between 1951 and 1963, were `flown home’ last Tuesday using an RMAF C130 aircraft.By Geryl Ogilvy Ruekeith
[email protected]: They fought and died for the freedom of their country. They were buried abroad and thought never to return. But some 50 years later, they are finally home.
The 21 Iban trackers and Sarawak Rangers, who fought gallantly against the communists in the peninsula during the Malayan Insurgency, were given top honour and accolades they rightly deserved during the burial of their remains at the Heroes Grave of Jalan Taman Budaya here yesterday.
Completed with the playing of the Last Post, lowering of the national flag and laying of wreaths, some 350 friends, family members and dignitaries, including Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud, Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang and Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong, were in attendance in a solemn yet beautiful ceremony.
Also present were a host of decorated army veterans such as the man who initiated the operation Lt Col (rtd) Robert Rizal Abdullah, Warrant Officer 1 (rtd) Temenggong Kanang Langkau, Warrant Officer II (rtd) Sengalang Uyang, First Division Army Infantry Commander Maj-Gen Dato Awie Suboh and Ninth Brigade commander Brigadier General Stephen Mundaw.
“It was not easy to locate the family members of our fallen heroes to get their consent when we initiated the operation to transfer their remains. Now, our 21 heroes can rest in peace at their own homeland,” said Taib in his speech.
He added that the heroes had shown tremendous patriotism and fighting spirit when they volunteered to fight in the peninsula. The heroes had gone to help their neighbours knowing full well that if Malaya fell, the state would be taken over as well.
“Iban trackers and Sarawak Rangers are known to be the bravest among the lot. They are always at the frontline. Their bravery and skill in tracking down the enemies successfully fend off the communists and halt the insurgency. Their struggles to help our neighbours have become a self struggle for the peace and freedom of our land,” Taib said.
He stressed that the progress and development that the people enjoyed today was down to the sacrifices of these heroes.
“I am honoured to be here on this historic day.”
Jabu, who also spoke, rendered a special tribute to the fallen heroes by reading an Iban poem.
“I give my highest respect to the Iban trackers and Sarawak Rangers who have fought so bravely, giving their life to the country. It is only right that they should be given the highest honour.
“They are the bravest among the brave, nor do they fear their enemies, guns or death to free the country from the communist threat. Today marks a historic chapter in the state.”
Meanwhile, Rizal also paid tribute to the 21 fallen heroes by reading a poem entitled ‘In Honour of the Iban Warriors’. In fighting his emotion, he stopped halfway in between his reading to hold back his tears.
Regretting the street protest that occurred recently, he reminded: “It is not easy to build a nation. Destroying it, however, can be done in the blink of an eye.”
Rizal also proposed to the State Government to consider establishing two units of Iban trackers and Sarawak Rangers for remembrance purposes and as a tourist attraction.
He had initiated efforts to bring back the trackers and rangers upon learning of an unmarked hero’s grave in Perak through a blog. The grave was located beside a road. In 2008, he mooted the idea of `Ops Mai Pulai’ (‘coming home’ in Iban).
The emotionally-charged ceremony yesterday saw the remains given a proper heroes burial by army officers, followed by flag presentations by Taib to the relatives of the heroes.
The 21 heroes, killed in action between 1951 and 1963, were `flown home’ last Tuesday using an RMAF C130 aircraft.
FULL MILITARY HONOUR: Military officers and personnel giving the salute as the Last Post was played before the burial. - Photos by Chimon Upon.