KUALA LUMPUR: Once, they played a role as the nemesis of the country’s enemy, an undeniable force to be reckoned with.
Making up a para-military force, the Sarawak Rangers and Iban Trackers helped in keeping communists and terrorists alike, at bay.
As the two outfits knew the jungles like the back of the hand, they were highly-skilled in jungle warfare, apart from being expertly trained in western and native weaponry.
For this reason, they were mobilised during the Malayan Emergency from 1948-1960.
They helped the nation’s soldiers to rout the enemy and keep the country safe from harm’s way.
Without doubt, the rangers and trackers etched a name for themselves in the annals of the nation’s history.
Thus, it sounds appalling that in the twilight of their years, 186 of our beloved country’s aging heroes — rangers and trackers — only receive a RM100 monthly allowance.
By any means, RM100 monthly allowance is a paltry sum, even described as a ‘cost of living allowance’ (Cola) for the 186, most of whom have retired and reside in Sarawak’s interior.
The disclosure of the RM100 allowance has led to numerous calls to the Government for an immediate review of the said allowance for the unsung heroes, at least to be on par with the national poverty index of RM700.
“They don’t have pension. The RM100 was a token amount given by the Federal Government through the Veterans Department as they are not eligible for pension,” Sarawak Veterans Association president Lt Kol (Rtd) Rizal Abdullah told Bernama in an interview.
He said most of the Iban trackers and rangers had served the British as a para-military outfit, with the first batch serving from 1940-1952, followed by the second (1953-1960), under the reformed Sarawak Rangers (Malayan Unit) and the third, the Sarawak Rangers (Far East Land Forces) from 1960-1963.
“Only the Sarawak Rangers (Far East Unit) survivors received some pension, together with those who later opted either to join Malaysian Rangers, Police or Border Scouts. These people have no problems as they are under full pension,” he said.
However, he said those who had served earlier from 1940-1952 and 1953 until 1960 were not entitled for any pension as they were considered para-military and not full soldiers.
“Many of them, upon completion of their service or contract, returned to their respective villages and continued normal lives until now. Therefore, in recognition of their service to the country, the government has given them allowance of RM100 per month,” he said.
In view of the current situation, Rizal said it was only appropriate for the government to look into this and review their RM100 monthly allowance, to enable them to make ends meet in the current economic situation.
“Personally, I feel, either the federal or Sarawak Government should look into this. On my part, I’m trying to form a Sarawak Rangers Association to help them,” he said.
Some politicans, such as Deputy Dewan Rakyat Speaker Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, have supported the idea for an increase in the allowance to RM750 a month to be on par with the poverty line index.
“These war veterans deserve a higher allowance as a token of appreciation for the service they rendered to the country. It should be revised and adjusted accordingly, to the current cost of living,” he said.
Wan Junaidi, who was once a policeman and headed the Sarawak Police Veterans Association, said it was sad to see those who had served this homeland living below poverty line.
“They were not even considered military. And yet, these people decided to serve the nation, left their families behind and went on to carry out their duty. Most of them came from the interior areas of Sarawak. Some returned home but there were also some who did not.
“After so many years, only recently their remains were brought back to the state under ‘Ops Mai Pulai’,” he said.
Sarawak Land Development Minister Tan Sri Dr James Masing was also reported to be in favour of a review of the allowance, where he went a step further by suggesting the widows of those killed be included in the upgrade (of the allowance).
“Most of the surviving veterans and the widows of those killed are old now…an increase in allowance will be a gesture of the government’s appreciation for their sacrifices in protecting the country in the early days,” he said.
The move to call for a review of their allowances was also personally supported by Sarawak’s Armed Forces Veterans Department director Lt Col Monday Juhnid, who personally felt that RM100 a month was very small.
“I am all for the review of the ‘Cola’. I also feel the government should consider giving some kind of special allowance to the veterans and widows. The source of the allowance can either come from the federal or state government.
“My hope is that state leaders will pursue this and try to talk to their federal counterparts. This kind of thing involves policies and are beyond our authority so we have to leave it to the ministers to handle,” he was reported as saying recently. — Bernama