Hii (centre) launches the centre together with Fang and Chantry.
SARIKEI: The work of security forces in the country has changed greatly since the early days of Independence.
Retired police officer Tony Idau, 64, who began his career with the Police Field Force, said following the formation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963, Sarawak had little time to celebrate as the country was being threatened by communist terrorists.
“Our armed forces were tasked with fighting the communist terrorists who used the thick jungle as their base.
“The communists terrorists, being fellow Sarawakians, were no strangers to the jungle hence giving them the advantage in launching guerilla war, ambushes or planting booby traps,” he told thesundaypost recently.
He said they were constantly engaging in gunfights with the communists.
Among the incidents in 1970 was when his platoon was assigned to carry out an operation in the Bulat area on the outskirts of Sarikei town.
Led by Deputy Home Minister Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who was then a platoon commander holding the rank of Inspector, the platoon reached a secluded house in Jakar when they noticed someone running out apparently in an attempt to escape.
Several of his colleagues chased after the man, but were spotted by the enemy, who opened fire from their hiding place.
Two of his colleagues were hit — one was killed while another was injured.
He said they retaliated with gunfire and Sgt Anyang managed to gun down a communist.
Tony recalled another incident in Tanjung Kunyit on the outskirts of Sibu under the command of Inspector Goneh Gidon.
Following a brief exchange of fire with the enemy, one communist was killed thanks to Anyang.
Tony pointed out that this is a whole different world to what the security forces of today experience.
“Now that the country is peaceful, the armed forces can diversify their duties to the community, social services and crime prevention,” he said, adding that after the communist laid down their arms, the Police Field Force was dissolved and its members absorbed into the police.
Tony joined the Police Field Force in 1970 and was based at the Lanang Camp in Sibu.
Following the dissolution of the field force, he was posted to the Sarikei District police contingent in 1990, where he served in various capacities until he retired as a Corporal in 2006.
A Melanau from Dalat, he has since settled down in his wife’s hometown of Betong for his retirement.