‘Never surrender our sovereignty’
He was 68 when he died four years ago.
Langgi said his family would always worry whenever his father was involved in operations in the jungle.
“My father was shot by the communists several times. However, he remained committed to fighting the enemy. Those shots only injured his body but never his spirit,” he said.
Following in his father’s footsteps, Langgi joined the Malaysian Armed
Forces 18 years ago.
“Since the first day, I have been upholding the warrior’s cry, Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban, which in Iban means as long as we are alive, we must keep fighting.
“Never surrender when it comes to protecting our country,” he said.
The father of two recalled the day he watched a group of young men running in the field as part of an army physical test in his hometown of Sri Aman.
“The thought of joining the army struck me. A coach later approached me to join the other candidates.
“And I passed the test to become a soldier when I was 18.”
The late Kanang’s sacrifices have been immortalised in the film Kanang Anak Langkau: The Iban Warrior.
Langgi played the role of his late father in the movie.
“I realised what my dad had gone through when filming the movie two years ago.
“The peace we enjoy now is the result of the sacrifices of many fallen heroes.
“I will continue to deliver his message to the younger generation so that we don’t take things for granted and continue loving this country,” he said. By Goh Pei Pei