30/08/2025

SATURDAY | AUG 30, 2025

/thesuntelegram FOLLOW / Malaysian Paper

ON TELEGRAM m RAM

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Ex-commando recounts grief of losing comrades

Patriotism lights up Felda settlement GUA MUSANG: Like a festival of lights, the nights in Felda Perasu have taken on a new glow as thousands of LED bulbs twinkle alongside hundreds of Jalur Gemilang fluttering at every corner of the settlement. The lively atmosphere was created through the efforts of the settlers, who have been working tirelessly together over the past two weeks to decorate their homes in anticipation of the 68th National Day celebrations tomorrow. Gerakan Persatuan Wanita Felda Perasu chairman Aminah Mohamad said more than 1,000 residents expressed their love for the country through Jalur Gemilang -themed decorations, while fostering patriotism among the younger generation. “Most of the participants are senior citizens who do not mind spending thousands of ringgit just to celebrate National Day. “Their patriotic spirit is truly remarkable, with some even playing patriotic songs and wearing Jalur Gemilang -themed outfits,” she said. Resident Saluma Hassan, 62, said she spent nearly RM500 to buy LED lights and Jalur Gemilang to decorate the front of her house. “My husband and I have been brightening up our house area every morning until noon over the past two weeks. For the lights alone, we spent more than RM300, while the flags cost nearly RM200. “We live on our own and only decorated modestly within our means. But after seeing neighbouring houses all decked out, we are planning to add more lights and flags,” she said. Mat Yunus Majid, 69, chose to showcase his creativity by transforming recyclable materials into National Day themed displays. “I used discarded drink bottles to build replicas of the Petronas Twin Towers and a tank, which were fitted with LED lights and placed in the house garden. A total of 60 bottles were used to create the two replicas,” he said. – Bernama

MARANG: Tears were not enough to express the grief of former first-batch VAT 69 commando Che Yak @ Embong Ngah, 77, who lost two close friends in a battle against communist insurgents 35 years ago. Che Yak, who is affectionately known as Pok Yak, said his service to the nation began after joining the Police Field Force, now known as the General Operations Force, on June 8, 1968. Three months into training, he was selected to join VAT 69 and was deployed to Sibu in Sarawak for his first operation against communists from the North Kalimantan People’s Army. “In Sarawak, the 30-member VAT 69 team joined forces with the Sarawak Border Scouts, made up of Iban fighters, to counter the communist threat. “Within days in the jungle, our team was ambushed by about 60 communists, who were notorious for their practice of slaughtering enemies. Alhamdulillah , all of us survived,” he told reporters when met at the Marang district police headquarters on Thursday. A recent video of Che Yak on social media was widely viewed, showing his daily routine of walking more than 10km along the beaches in Marang while collecting trash, Bernama reported. Originally from Kampung Duyong Besar in Kuala Terengganu, he said he still remembers the day his friend Rizuan was shot dead by communists in Hulu Kinta, Perak, while another comrade, ASP Zamri, died after stepping on a landmine planted by communists in Sungai Siput, Perak. Che Yak said throughout his service, he participated in dozens of operations against communists before being forced to leave VAT 69 due to a health issue. “Rizuan was my best friend, while ASP Zamri o Former VAT69 member survived multiple insurgent encounters, but watched two close friends die in combat

Che Yak showing some of the memorabilia from his time in service. – BERNAMAPIC

For his exemplary service, he received several medals, including the Pingat Pangkuan Negara, Bentara Pasukan Polis and Jasa Pahlawan Negara . “My message for today’s generation is to always be ready to defend the country, and never let it fall into foreign hands. “The independence we enjoy today is the result of the blood, sweat and tears of the nation’s fighters.”

was the officer I was closest to. We went on many operations together. “I only served about three years with VAT 69 before I was reassigned to the VAT 69 Armament Unit in 1972. To serve in VAT 69, one must be truly fit and strong, as the duties are extremely heavy and challenging,” said the father of one. Che Yak retired as a sergeant-major at the Terengganu police contingent headquarters on Feb 1, 2004.

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