Ex-soldiers get wheelchairs from association
I am very thankful to the association for giving me this wheelchair. I hope to be able to walk with prosthetic legs.
SIBU: Two former soldiers received a wheelchair each from the Veterans Association of the Malaysian Armed Forces, Nangka branch yesterday.
They are Kassim Mohamad, 76, and Banyoi Najing, 59.
The branch chairman, Abang Mos Abang Tungal, handed over the wheelchairs during his visit to their respective homes yesterday.
He was accompanied by his deputy, Jimbau Galau.
Kassim from Kampung Hilir was recruited into the army at Ulu Tiram, Johor in 1963. He was 21 when he decided to join the army.
He was trained by the Gurkha Rifles.
After nine months of training, he was posted to the 1st Battalion Malaysian Rangers in Taiping, Perak, and later to Sri Aman until the end of his service.
In an interview yesterday, Kassim said he joined the army because of the love he had to serve the country and till this day, he had always been very proud of his service.
“I was there during May 13, 1969. It was hard. Looking back at my
Banyoi Najing, former soldier
service to the country, I’ve always been very proud,” he said.
His son, Mohamad Nizam Kassim, 38, said his father used to tell him stories about his days as a soldier.
“He told me many stories; his life in the jungles, his survivals, struggles and battles,” he said.
Kassim has seven sons and three daughters.
According to him, after his service came to an end in 1978, he worked as a driver for former senator Datuk Douglas Sullang during the day and at night he worked as a watchman for Pos Malaysia in Sibu.
He retired from Pos Malaysia on March 29, 1997. His wife passed away in 1994.
He is now staying in Kampung Hilir and has problem moving around due to old age while his eyesight is failing, especially the right eye.
Banyoi, on the other hand, was 18 years old when he joined the army in 1978. He was recruited as a tracker in the Oya Army Camp.
His fi rst posting was at the 2nd Ranger in Oya Camp, and later to Rascom Camp until the end of his service.
He served in the army for 17 years.
After retirement, he joined the Forestry Department as a forest guard. He is now a retiree.
Banyoi, a Punan from Rumah Madeline Kiah in Sg Kakus, Tatau, said he joined the army out of his interest.
Both of his legs were amputated a few years ago due to diabetes which was diagnosed in 2005.
He started to go for dialysis in 2015.
“I am very thankful to the association for giving me this wheelchair. I hope to be able to walk with prosthetic legs,” he said.
Abang Mos said he would try his best to apply for prosthetic legs for Banyoi.
“There is no guarantee, but I will try my best. I will send the application,” he said.
He also said that the association had always made sure that the veterans at the Nangka area are being taken care of.
“This is part of the welfare we are giving them. We will look for those who are in need and we will see how we can support them,” he added.
The Nangka branch has about 120 members.