We produce heroes and not murderers……………..

A Glimpse on courage and the relevancy of Royal Military College

Throughout the travails of times men has been inspired by countless tales of courage and chivalry. However none evokes such raw rush of emotion as when one reads the citation for an award for bravery. Reading it would make the hair at the back of your neck stand, tears would well up in your eyes and you could not help but wonder whether humans are capable of such courage.

What are these awards of bravery, in Malaysia we have the highest federal award for bravery Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) which by order of precedence his higher than the award of Tunship. SP can be compared to its equivalent counterpart in the United States which is the Medal of Honor or Victoria Cross of the United Kingdom. Whereas MOH or VC is exclusively awarded to member of the armed forces in times of war, the award for SP does not have such restrictions, even though almost 99% of the recipients are members of our security forces.

Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB) the second highest award for bravery is equivalent to the Distinguished Service Conduct (DSC) of US or Military Cross of UK. It is given to members of armed forces who have shown great courage and initiative during battle.

The main criteria for these two awards, SP and PGB are for the action in the face of enemy action to be of “conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity beyond and above the call of duty and at the risk of oneself”. Soldiers and policemen take an oath to defend this nation even if it means sacrificing oneself in the process.

Therefore merely dying for the nation would not entitle one to automatically being recommended or awarded these awards, since death is part of the occupational hazard faced by soldiers and policemen in the course of executing their duties. It should be an act of extra ordinary bravery in case of SP more often that not the award is posthumous. The key word here are “above and beyond the call of duty”, the citation you are about to read in the following pages would give you a glimpse of what “above and beyond call of duty” really means.

The following pages are dedicated to gallant Old Putera Heroes who have sacrificed their lives and limbs for this nation and in the process became recipient of these two highest award for bravery This dedication are based by order of precedence of the award namely the SP first and PGB later and also based on the date of action.

Dedication,

THE OLD PUTERA ASSOCIATION ON BEHALF OF A GRATEFUL NATION TAKES GREAT PRIDE IN DEDICATING THE FOLLOWING PAGES TO OP HEROES.

The blood of our patriot shall nourish the tree of our freedom from time to time
- Thomas Jefferson-

They are indeed a breed apart, everymen an emperor
- General Bernard Montgomery quipped about his fallen soldiers in battle of El-Alamein.







A Reflection,

When the bugle for the last post echoes, please spare a moment and offer your prayers to these gallant heroes and to those countless faceless men who have perished defending this nation…

Dedicated to all fallen heroes,
By,
388522 OP JEYAGANESH GOPALSAMY LMA 040
C, COY (1987-1991)

A SALUTE TO THE BRAVE

(HE TOOK ON AN ENEMY 3 TIMES LARGER THAN HIS OWN UNIT).

Name: MOHANA CHANDRAN A/L VELAYUTHAN (POSTHUMOUS)
Regt No: 200402
Unit: UNIT COMBAT INTELLIGENCE SQUAD (UCIS) 4th BATTALION RANGER REGIMENT
RANK: CAPTAIN / UNIT COMMANDER
Place & Date: 13TH OF JUNE, 1971, KORBU FOREST, CHEMOR

Brief Introduction

Capt MohanChandran an ex boy from the batch 64-66 F Company, known to his buddies as Ray Chandran. He graduated from Royal Military College of Australia Portsea in 1968 and upon returning commissioned into the Royal Ranger Regiment. A fitness fanatic, he volunteered to head the elite UCIS of his Battalion. UCIS are similar to the LRRP of US Army, whereby they form the advance recon element of the battalion and operate deep inside enemy territory and providing vital field intelligence on enemy movements to Battalion or Brigade HQ.


Citation
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty Capt Mohan Chandran while leading a platoon of elite UCIS the forerunners of RISIK GEMPUR distinguished himself during a search and destroy mission against an entrenched enemy 3 times larger than his unit. Capt Mohan Chandran unit was tasked to reconnoiter the area around KORBU FOREST for enemy activities after intelligence report indicates heavy enemy presence around that area. The unit stumbled upon the enemy base camp and a firefight ensued. In order to confuse the enemy Capt Mohan Chandran yelled B Company covering fire, C Company Assault, even tough their unit is only a platoon size. The enemy was caught completely off-guard, Capt Mohan Chandran leading from the front leapt into action and stormed the enemy position. He was exposed while firing his LMG, in order to provide suppressing fire thereby enabling the rest of the platoon to move up. He personally killed 4 enemy CTs and injured few others before bullets slammed into his body. After action report stated that he continued firing while being injured before succumbing to the mortal wounds. He died at the prime of his youth aged 24 years.

Capt Mohan Chandran act of valor on that fateful day conforms to the highest standard of the Malaysian Army officer’s corps and yet again proves the reputation of the Rangers as a ferocious fighting unit.

(FOR HIM WAR WAS UP CLOSE & PERSONAL)

NAME : HAMID BIN AWANG
REGT NO : 410225
UNIT : D COMPANY, 2ND BATTALION ROYAL MALAY REGIMENT
RANK /DESIGNATION: CAPTAIN / OFFICER COMMANDING COMPANY
DATE & PLACE: 7TH OF APRIL, 1973 , GUNONG PUEH, LUNDU SARAWAK

BRIEF INTRODUCTION

Born in Trengganu on 20th of November, 1949. OP Hamid Awang went to further his studies in Royal Military College from 1964-67, was selected for Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in 1967 and commissioned into 2nd Battalion Royal Malay Regiment in 1968. Known to be outgoing with a penchant for sports, he was extremely close to men under his command. Friends remember him for his unconventional way of carrying out orders and above all his courage.

CITATION

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty Capt Hamid Awang while leading his company based on intelligence gathered indicating that a force of 40 to 50 communist terrorist would converge on Gunung Pueh, “D” Company of 2 Royal Malay Regiment led by Capt Hamid was tasked with search and destroy mission codenamed OPERATION MARCHUP.

On 7 April 1973, Capt Hamid and his company detected a Communist Terrorist encampment. Capt Hamid organized his company for an assault on the camp, he fired an M79 grenade round to mark the start of the attack and rush into the Communist Terrorist camp. In the heat of battle, a communist terrorist tried to shoot down one of Capt Hamid’s man. Knowing that to fire his grenade launcher at such close quarters would pose a danger to his men, risking his life he choose to engage the enemy in a brutal hand to hand combat. With his left hand and body he clutched the enemy’s weapon and struck the enemy’s neck with the grenade launcher, the force of the swing neutralized the enemy but dislocated his right wrist in the process .Capt Hamid’s company scored 3 kills and captured 3 enemy weapons, as well as ammunition and assorted equipment. His company also suffered 1 Killed In Action.

Captain Hamid Awang act of valor on that fateful day conforms to the highest standard of the Malaysian Army officers corps and in line with the finest tradition of the Royal Malay Regiment as the most senior regiment in the Malaysian Army.


(HE KNEW THE DANGER YET CONTINUED TO PERFORM HIS DUTY)

NAME : JALIL BIN IBRAHIM (POSTHUMOUS)
REGT NO :
UNIT : BANK BUMIPUTE MALAYSIA
RANK/DESIDNATION: MANAGER, INVESTIGATION OFFICER BMF SCANDAL
DATE & PLACE: JULY, 1983 , HONG KONG

BRIEF INTRODUCTION

Born in Malacca and OP Jalil Ibrahim entered Royal Military College in __________ a brilliant student in RMC he went to pursue his degree in accountancy at University of Christchurch, New Zealand from 1969 – 71.

Citation

He was killed in Hong Kong in July 1983 while investigating a case involving the fraudulent award of RM2.5 billion in loans by Bumiputra Finance Berhad to the Carrian Group.
He knew the danger since it was a high profile case involving powerful people yet performed his duty without fear and in the process paid the ultimate price for his dedication.
Till date, he is the only civilian to receive the award.

His dedication and commitment to the job he held so dearly conforms to the highest standard as prescribed in the charter of the Boys Wing.


(HE KEPT HIS COOL AGAINST DAUNTING ODDS)

NAME : NEVILLE SIEBEL
REGT NO : 200647
UNIT : A SQUADRON, 2ND FEDERAL RECONNAISSANCE REGIMENT
RANK /DESIGNATION: 2ND LIEUTENANT / TROOP COMMANDER
DATE & PLACE: 11TH OF NOVEMBER, 1961. KUNDU, REPUBLIC OF CONGO.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION

Born in 1939 in Kuala Lumpur and OP Neville Siebel entered the then FMC from 1956- 1958, thereafter went to the Cadet Wing and commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant in the Federal Recce Regiment. He was one of the first batches of officers, deployed under the United Nation to serve in Congo as the Malaysian Special Forces (MSF) contingent.

CITATION

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty 2nd Lt Siebel while posted under United Nation peacekeeping duties distinguished himself as troop commander of the Ferret Scout Car. When a group of Congonese rebel encircled the Malaysian Army officer’s mess which was hosting 13 Italian Airforce officers, 2nd Lt Siebel displayed great presence of mind and courage in challenging the rebel with his Ferret Scout Car and nearly neutralized them with its main gun. The rebels wanted Italian officers and only the sole Ferret scout of 2nd Lt Seibel was protecting the Italians. The Italians were captured due to inept leadership and poor judgment on the part of the garrison commander. 2nd Lt Siebel again rushed to the airport camp to get re-enforcement and finish off the rebels with additional ferret cars, however once again poor judgment prevailed and eventually all Italians were executed by the rebels and a chance was lost.

2nd Lieutenant Neville Siebel act of valor on that fateful day conforms to the highest standard of the Malaysian Army officers corps and the illustrious present day Royal Armoured Regiment.



(HE STARED AT DEATH & TRIUMPHED)

NAME : LEE AH POW
REGT NO : 200553
UNIT : C SQUADRON, 2ND FEDERAL RECONNAISSANCE REGIMENT
RANK /DESIGNATION: LIEUTENANT / TROOP COMMANDER
DATE & PLACE: 12TH OF SEPTEMBER, 1962. ELIZABETHVILLE, REPUBLIC OF CONGO.

BRIEF INTRODUCTION

Born in Negeri Sembilan on 9th of October, 1937, OP Lee Ah Pow entered the former FMC Boys Wing from 1953-56. Thereafter he joined the cadet wing and commissioned into the Federal Recce Regiment in 1958.

CITATION

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty Lieutenant Lee Ah Pow while serving under United Nation in Congo rescued 16 soldiers from the Indian Army 2nd Battalion 5th Gurkha Regiment from certain massacre by the Kataganese rebel. The Gurkhas were surrounded by the Kataganese when Lt Lee arrived with his troops of Ferret Scout Cars. He immediately ordered his troopers to take position and provide a screen around the Gurkhas, thereby protecting them from potential Katanganese fire.

Lt Lee Ah Pow displayed great presence of mind by traversing the main gun of his Ferrets on the Katanagense and showing great restraints in holding his fire adhering to the Rules of Engagement which is to shoot only when fired upon. When Lieutenant Lee Ah Pow and the Katanagense rebel leader were eyeball to eyeball, it was the latter who blinked and fired first which forced Lt Lee Ah Pow to return accurate and sustaining fire. Lieutenant Lee Ah Pow citation was personally written by Indian Army Brigade Commander and was a shinning example of Malaysian Armed Forces officers corps being held in high esteem by foreign nations.

Lieutenant Lee Ah Pow act of valor on that fateful day conforms to the highest standard of the Malaysian Army officers corps and the illustrious present day Royal Armoured Regiment.

(HE TOOK ON THE CRACK INDONESIAN MARINES AND LITERALLY BLEW THEIR HEADS OFF)


NAME : KAMARUDDIN MOHD JAMAL
REGT NO :
UNIT : C COMPANY, 6TH BATTALION ROYAL MALAY REGIMENT
RANK /DESIGNATION: 2ND LIEUTENANT / PLATOON COMMANDER
DATE & PLACE: 21ST OF AUGUST, 1964. PONTIAN KECIL, JOHOR

BRIEF INTRODUCTION

Born in Kuala Lipis on 15th of August, 1942 he completed his Form Five in then FMC at the end of 1960. He joined intake 5 of the cadet wing in 1961 and was commissioned into the 6th Battalion Royal Malay Regiment, the unit his father served before retiring.


CITATION

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity beyond and above the call of duty,2nd Lieutenant Kamaruddin was tasked with reconnoitering an area where 2 suspected Indonesian soldiers were spotted during the 1963-65 Indonesian Confrontation.

2nd Lieutenant Kamaruddin left the Tactical Headquarters of C Company with 5 of his men to perform the assigned task. His unit stumbled upon the enemy and contrary to what was reported there were more than 2 enemies and they were in lying up position waiting to ambush Kamaruddin unit. Further these soldiers were no ordinary soldiers but marines from the crack Indonesian Kor Marinir. The enemy opened up and Kamaruddin’s unit returned fire, based on the firefight the enemy was gauged to be around 15 men, 3 times larger than his unit. Coolly and with extreme calm he ordered his men to continue firing while he proceeded to lob grenade in order to neutralize the enemy due to their sheer strength. One enemy was killed however the second and third grenade lobbed by 2nd Lt Kamaruddin bounced back on their position due to the thick vegetation, and he ordered his men to take cover. Despite being outnumbered 3 to 1, 2nd Lieutenant Kamaruddin kept up the pressure on the enemy until they withdrew. By the end of the fire fight 2nd Lt Kamarudin unit killed 4 enemy marines and suffered one Killed In Action.

2nd Lieutenant Kamarrudin Jamal act of valor on that fateful day conforms to the highest standard of the Malaysian Army officers corps and in line with the finest tradition of the Royal Malay Regiment as the most senior regiment in the Malaysian Army.

(JUSTICE WAS SAVED BY THE COURAGE OF THIS MAN)

NAME : MOHD HALIM BIN KHALID
REGT NO : 3002599
UNIT : B COMPANY, 19TH BATTALION ROYAL MALAY REGIMENT (MECH)
RANK /DESIGNATION: CAPTAIN / SECOND IN COMMAND COMPANY
DATE & PLACE: 27TH OF SEPTEMBER, 1993, MOGADISHU, SOMALIA

BRIEF INTRODUCTION

Born in Simpang Pulai, Perak in ___________ he enetered Royal Military College in _____, thereafter commissioned into the Royal Malay Regiment in 1982. Now a Colonel in the Malaysian Army attached to Armed Forces Command as the Director of Defense Training & Operations.

CITATION

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity beyond and above the call of duty Captain Halim while serving under United Nation Operation in Somalia II (UNOSOM II) as part of Malaysian Battalion (MALBATT) distinguished himself during an operation to rescue trapped and besieged judiciary officials of UNOSOM II.

Captain Halim was tasked with providing close quarter escort to these high ranking judicial officials during a meeting held at Benadir Supreme Court. Without warning militants loyal to Farah Aideed attacked the court complex with the aim of capturing these judicial officials. With complete and total disregard to his own life while under enemy fire Captain Halim maneuvered Armoured Personnel Carriers (APC) under his command to rescue the trapped court officials. His lead APC stormed the court complex and provided accurate and sustained gunfire in order to suppress the enemy, while at the same time troops under his command rescued the beleaguered court officials. Captain Halim maintained command of his troops under heavy enemy fire and rescued the entire UNOSOM II judicial officials safely to base. His fighting retreat was a textbook example of how exemplary leadership is vital during vulnerable phase of a firefight.

Captain Mohd Halim Bin Khalid act of valor on that fateful day conforms to the highest standard of the Malaysian Army officers corps and in line with the finest tradition of the Royal Malay Regiment as the most senior regiment in the Malaysian Army.