Whither our Ex-Servicemen?

DURING the Hari Raya festivities this year, I went to visit old classmates and friends, some of whom happened to be members of our Security Forces during their younger days.

Some look still sprightly in spite of their years, some look wizened and quite a number somewhat frail in comparison. But their tough, tortuous and perilous past seemed to magically vanish like the morning mist with the bright morning sun when they met each other.

They hugged and patted each other and performed their special military style greetings by way of ritualistic handshakes, and some lightly thumping their chests with the fists followed by doing the same to each other.

I could but watch in awe and admiration at their visible pride and heroism. The memories of the dark and damp night jungle camps came flooding back– dark because strictly no lights allowed lest this would give away their location to the enemy.

They would laugh and thump the tables when they recalled what, to them, were funny incidents – like when the medic orderly missed his step and caught his mud-covered boots in the roots of trees, fell face down and asked for help.

Good-naturedly they would chuckle and comment that the good “doctor” must not get into trouble or else who would tend to them should anyone get injured?

They all would sigh and show deeply-felt empathy towards soand-so who fortunately only lost a limb when he stepped on the enemy booby trap. They would, in unison, praise and thank their young platoon commander who had apparently just gotten married and had to return from leave due to hot information about enemy activities.

Members of the North Kalimantan Communist Party were passing through the Lundu/Biawak complex near the Indonesian border where some of the less fortunate members of the Security Forces were ambushed and killed by the PARAKU.

Their follow-up unit, led by their young commander, severely outnumbered by enemy strength, tracked the enemy late in the evening and eventually engaged the enemy in a night of fierce fighting, and by daybreak, discovered four dead enemies.

And, in unison, they heaped praises on the Iban Border Scout assigned to them as their tracker. They were really grateful and felt very lucky as they had managed to avoid possible crossfire from another unit sent on the same mission to track and engage the enemy.

Stories like these, and the camaraderie that abounded and tied them together cannot but arouse in me the realisation that it was people like them – loyal and simple in their needs – who have brought peace and security for the rest of us. They risked life and limb, leaving behind them their families, parents, friends, to defend the nation.

And their reward? A modest salary – meagre by some count. But they survived on great esprit de corps, pride, and the knowledge that their buddies on their left and right would rather fall together than leave them in danger.

This knowledge sustained them; their trust in the leadership around them made light the fear and heavy burden that they carried. And now, in the twilight of the lives, their spirits live on.

Some have done well by their standards, running small and petty business; some retired in their childhood villages, tending small farms, fish ponds or looking after grandchildren. Some walk with pride come Veterans’ Day.

Regrettably, many more can just cherish their gallant days, and only wish their sacrifices be remembered and appreciated.

Listening to them, I wonder whether the modest pensions and other forms of rewards, financial or otherwise, can be considered for these less known heroes.

The Federal government award them with medals. These too they value dearly – with great pride. I wonder whether the State has or can consider special awards for them too - our brave ex- servicemen, members of the then Sarawak Constabulary, which became Sarawak Royal Malaysia Police and eventually Royal Malaysia Police.

We had our own people in green – the Field Force, the Marine, the Border Scouts and the least known or seen, the Special Branch, and in the towns, the General Duties, the CID, Traffic Police and other units that support them.

And, during their Annual Parades, the Police present special awards to their civilian staff. These must have played certain important roles and functions. They too, I hasten to add, should not be forgotten.

The Security Forces machinery are oiled and function upon the services of these silent, behindthescene staff. My salutes to them all, those in uniform and civvies.

My hope and prayer is that, given the great tide of awareness of being Sarawakians, those in authority and power spare some time to consider giving these unsung heroes who have sacrificed so much and asked so little, due recognition, token and appreciation.

For the rest of us, maybe we can write on the life and experience of these unsung heroes. Maybe someday, these can be compiled into books for the future generations to read.

In these days of multimedia mass communication, movies and short videos would be invaluable in perpetuating the memories and honour of our unassuming heroes, their gallantry and, sad to say, the tragedies that have befallen them, and the sufferings of their families as well. SJ Tan, Kuching