Ambush 35 years ago still vivid
FOR THE COUNTRY: Today’s generation should know about sacrifices made to ensure peace
AN ambush that left seven soldiers dead 35 years ago remains vivid in army veteran Md Said Adam’s mind. Scars on his thumb and thigh bore testament to the attack, but that did not stop him from serving the armed forces before retiring in 1989.
When met at his home in Kampung Pulau Gadong here, the 55-year-old veteran said such sacrifices were made to ensure peace in the country.
“Though what happened to me and my comrades was fated, our generation today should know what others did for the nation.”
On Oct 29 in 1981, Md Said and eight others were attacked by some 30 communists in Ulu Legong, Baling in Kedah.
The attack on a three-tonne truck occurred a kilometre from thebase camp, the 22nd Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (RAMD), at 9.40am.
“The truck driver, Private Jamil Abd Hamid, was shot in the head and the vehicle went out of control. Soon after, we came under heavy fire.”
MNS/C
In the chaos, he jumped out of the truck and ended up in a ravine, with gunshot wounds and a fractured right shoulder. Despite his injuries, he crawled into a canal and hid in a rice field about 50m away from the attack.
“The ambush lasted eight to 12 minutes. I was told the bodies of the seven who died were riddled with bullets.”
Help came about 30 minutes later as the base camp was also attacked by another group of communists around the same time. Army veteran army uniform in
showing his Pingat Jasa Malaysia and a picture of him in an yesterday. Pic by Khairunisah Lokman
Md Said was laid up for two months at Penang Hospital. He took a month to recover from the traumatic experience, with help from family and alternative treatment.
“I needed to restore my ‘spirit’,” said the signalist, who is an active member of the 22 RAMD Veterans Association.
Those killed were Lance Corporal Hashim
Sulaiman, Lance Corporal Rosli Harun, Private Jamil Mohamad, Private Md Merdeka Ismail, Private Jamil Abd Hamid, Private Mazlin Wasal and Private Mohd Khambali Mohd Saidili.
The other survivor of the attack was Private Md Shafei Kasim, who suffered injuries but managed to flee the ambush.