Hundreds attend ‘ngetas ulit’ for war hero
KAPIT: Hundreds of people from all walks of life attended a ceremony to mark the end of the mourning period (ngetas ulit) for retired First Warrant Officer, the late Jimba Layang, who passed away Nov 9 at Kapit Hospital aged 91.
Held Saturday at his residence at Taman Chelsea Height, along Jalan Selirik here, the attendees included Bukit Goram assemblyman Jefferson Jamit, government department heads, community leaders and retired servicemen.
The late Jimba, who was buried Nov 12 at the Christian cemetery along Jalan Antaroh here, was a decorated soldier who was awarded a total of 11 medals by the British, Malaysia, Brunei and Sarawak governments – including the British Empire Medal by Queen Elizabeth II – in recognition of his heroic deeds.
“Jimba was an ordinary Iban who became extraordinary in his army career. He was a disciplined, dedicated, brave and courageous Iban warrior who joined the army to protect the nation from foreign aggression and the communist
Jimba was an ordinary Iban who became extraordinary in his army career. He was a disciplined, dedicated, brave and courageous Iban warrior who joined the army to protect the nation from foreign aggression and the communist threat. Jefferson Jamit, Bukit Goram assemblyman
threat. He truly lived up to the spirit of ‘Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban’ (fight till the end), and his bravery earned the respect of his peers,” said Jamit.
He said during his career, Jimba was attached to the Sarawak Rangers, British army and Malaysian Rangers, and had served in Sarawak, Malaya, Hong Kong and Brunei.
“Although he never attended school, Jimba spoke fluent English after having picked up and mastered the language while in the army. He was a humble man who lived a simple life after his retirement. Little was heard of him after he retired as he chose a quiet life with his family at Rumah Gani in Pulau Pisang, Batang Rajang here,” said Jamit, adding that Jimba’s passing was a great loss to the people of Kapit and also the nation.
Born April 10, 1927 in Sepulau, Baleh, Jimba joined the army on Sept 1, 1953 and served for 28 years before retiring on Aug 31, 1981.
He was first recruited into the Sarawak Rangers Federated Unit and later into the reconstituted Sarawak Rangers with the British Armed Forces.
When the British left upon the formation of Malaysia and the Sarawak Rangers disbanded, Jimba was placed in the Elite Rangers and was one of only a handful of Iban non-commissioned officers to have reached the rank of First Warrant Officer.
Following his retirement, he was actively involved in the Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association Kapit Branch, of which he was a founding member.