Press
Maj Patrick Wong Sing Nang (Rtd) and En Azzam Syafiq

Malaysian Digest Interview Maj Patrick Wong Sing Nang (Rtd)
4 Oct 17
En Azzam Syafiq from Malaysian Digest interviewed Maj Patrick Wong Sing Nang (Rtd) recently about his services and sacrifices to the nation while serving in the Malaysian Armed Forces. The meeting took place up at D'Mass Restaurant, Taman Melawati, Kuala Lumpur on the noon of 27 August 2017. MACVA would like to express its sincere gratitude to Malaysian Digest for highlighting the sacrifices of Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans (MACV) for the nation while serving in the Malaysian Armed Forces.

54 Years After The Formation Of M'sia, An Army Veteran Tells Youth To Not Take Peace For Granted
Malaysian Digest Article
Published on Monday, 18 September 2017 16:43 Written by Azzam Syafiq

Major Patrick (most right, holding the sword) leading his men in march during his RMC days

It has been 54 years since the formation of our beloved country, and we have stood through so many conflicts that challenged the sovereignty of our nation.

From the Indonesian Confrontation in the early days of Malaysia, to the 2013 Lahad Datu invasion by radical Filipino militants, our security forces have risked their lives for the safety of the Malaysian people.

One army veteran, Major Patrick Wong Sing Nang of the Malaysian Chinese Armed Forces Veteran (MACVA), shared with Malaysian Digest the sacrifices he had endured during his 26-year service in the Malaysian military.

“During the early days of Malaysia, when I was a teenager, I saw a lot of Commonwealth forces in my hometown. I was impressed by the foreign soldiers,” said the army veteran who hailed from Sibu, Sarawak.

When he was in Form 5, a recruiting team from the Ministry of Defence came to his hometown and gave a talk on military service as a career choice. Major Patrick wasted no time and made an application to join the army in 1967.

After spending two years in the Royal Military College (RMC), he was assigned to the third battalion of the ranger corps, stationed in Taiping for his first assignment.

Major Patrick Wong Sing Nang

“At the time, Taiping was considered to be the hottest spot for communist threats in Perak and Kedah,” he recalled.

Throughout his experience in fighting the communists, there were two operations that stood out.

“In April 1971, my team mounted an operation called Ops Radak in Kulim. We managed to eliminate seven communist threats (CT), one of my biggest successes.

“However, due to the operation, I had to miss my own wedding dinner,” he said. He was officially married a few days before, but had to sacrifice his memorable wedding dinner to answer his duty for the country.

His other operation in December 1977 was even more unfortunate, as he had to be away from his family during Christmas. On top of that, he had a close encounter with death when fighting the communists.

“I was supposed to have my leave that time. However, due to the solid information provided by the Special Branch and Orang Asli, it was an urgent matter and my leave was cancelled.

“This operation, dubbed Ops Kejut, was planned to attack a communist outpost deep in the jungles of Gopeng.

“We entered the jungle in the night of Christmas, and carried our offensive in the early morning of 26 December, at 5.00 a.m.,” explained Major Patrick.

He was one of the 80 soldiers who participated in the operation. While that may sounds like a lot of soldiers, in the thick of the tropical Malaysian rainforest, the number had no obvious advantage as the thick vegetation limited the soldiers’ visibility.

“We carefully advanced to the enemy’s position. Unfortunately, one of our soldiers stepped on a trip mine, exploding it and exposing our position to the enemy,” he recalled.

The ensuing firefight lasted for three hours. While Major Patrick and his men successfully overrun the enemy’s position, it came with a heavy cost.

Four men, including Major Patrick, were severely injured. The Major was shot in the chest, and the bullet went past his lungs, liver and stuck in his abdomen. The soldier who stepped on the mine was heavily injured as well, from the explosion.

“We immediately radioed in for a helicopter evacuation, and established a ‘winching point’, an area where we cleared the trees around it to provide room for the helicopter to land.

“At 10.00 a.m., the helicopter arrived just in the nick of time to airlift the four of us. We were flown and treated at the Ipoh General Hospital,” he said.

After being treated for 30 days, he continued his service until he was voluntarily discharged in 1993.

He would like the current generations to know that the peace they enjoy today is due to the sacrifices made by soldiers just like him.

“Thanks to the cooperation shown by the police, army, navy, air force, and even the paramilitary, we managed to force the communists to the negotiating table in Hatyai at 1989, signing the peace accord and ending the communist threat.

“We must not take our peace today for granted. All of us must value and appreciate the sacrifices that had been made by our security personnel,” reminded the army veteran.

Major Patrick (left) receiving a visit from his superior during his treatment in Ipoh General Hospital

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SelangorKini Interview Lt Col Wong Ah Jit (Rtd)
10 Oct 17
En Ermizi Muhamad from SelangorKini interviewed MACVA Honorary Secretary Lt Col Wong Ah Jit (Rtd) recently about his services and sacrifices to the nation while serving in the Malaysian Armed Forces. The meeting took place up his apartment at Sri Petaling, Kuala Lumpur at 12.00 noon on 22 September 2017. MACVA would like to express its sincere gratitude to SelangorKini for highlighting the sacrifices of Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans (MACV) for the nation while serving in the Malaysian Armed Forces.

Kisah tentera Cina pertahan kedaulatan
Tolak Sentimen Kaum Demi Keamanan
Artikal SelangorKini
Oleh ERMIZI MUHAMAD Edisi 6-13 Oktober 2017

Penzahiran rasa cinta terhadap keamanan Negara yang terlahir daripada semangat juang individu tegar mempertahankan negara daripada ancaman musuh. Tanpa mengambil kira perbezaan sentimen warna kulit, kaum, bangsa dan agama, semangat kecintaan terhadap Negara kekal dipertahan utuh.Ia dibuktikan, Leftenan Kolonel Wong Ah Jit (Bersara) dalam usahanya untuk berbakti kepada negara menerusi khidmatnya sebagai Angkatan Tentera Malaysia (ATM).

Menceritakan detik pembabitannya sebagai tentera, anak kelahiran Pangkalan Minyak, BatuTujuh, Melaka, berbangsa Cina itu ada tafsirannya. "Minat terhadap ketenteraan bermula sejak kecil, ketika ayah saya berkhidmat sebagai pembantu pengurus di estet milik bapa saudara.

"Secara kebetulan, estet tempat ayah bekerja itu kawasan pusat latihan ketenteraan Inggeris sekitar tahun 1960 dan waktu itu saya baru berumur 14 tahun. "Daripada situlah saya dapatmelihat bagaimana tentera Inggerisberlatih dan mendorong rasa untuk membabitkan diri dalam dunia ketenteraan," katanya kepada SelangorKini.

Perubahan hidup
Seawal usianya 18 tahun, penghijrahannya ke SungaiUdang, Melaka, menjadi detik terpenting dirinya sebelum terbabit dalam dunia ketenteraan.Secara kebetulan, Sungai Udang juga antara pusat latihan ketenteraan komando yang cukup sinonim dalam kalangan warga tempatan waktu itu. "Saya bertemu dengan seorang pegawai tinggi tentera yang menawarkan saya untuk menyertai tentera ketika itu."Atas dorongannya, akhirnya permohonan saya diterima dan daripada situlah kehidupan saya berubah," katanya.

Beliau berkata, detik itu mengejutkan ibu dan ahli keluarga yang lain terutama keputusan untuk menyertai ketenteraan hadir ketika konfratasi perkauman 16 Mei baru sahaja berakhir. "Saya bangsa Cina pertama yang dipilih untuk diserap sebagai tentera selepas peristiwa 13 Mei 1969 yang menjadi titik kemuncak masalah perpaduan negara, waktu itu," katanya.

Sejurus itu, beliau dihantar mengikuti latihan ketenteraan diPort Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, sebelum melalui proses lanjutan akhir bersama anggota pasukan dan akhirnya memilih berkhidmat dalam unit polis tentera. Ceritanya lagi, walaupun terpaksa bersaing bersama masyarakat Melayu waktu itu, namun iltizam tinggi mendorong beliau untuk terus merealisasikan impiannya.

Komunis tembak kepala
Suatu sudut transisi yang lain, beliau mempunyai kisah dan pengalaman yang masih segar dalam ingatannya ketika berjuanghabis-habisan melawankomunis. "Saya ada seorang kawan berbangsaIndia yang sangat rapat dan akrab. Usianya waktu itu masih muda, namun beliau gi lebih awal. "Beliau ditembak di kepalapada jarak dekat ketika operasi penghapusan komunis dijalankan, di hutan. "Kami cukup terkesan. Namun, pengalaman ini seharusnya mengajar masyarakat Malaysia untuk lebih menghargai keamanan yang kita kecapi kini," katanya.

Baginya kini, saki baki perajurit yang masih ada wajar mendapat pengiktirafan sebaiknya atas jasa dan perjuangan mereka dulu. "Namun, saya sedikit kesal apabila masih ada tanggapan segelintir masyarakat yang seolah- olah melupakan jasa dan pengorbanan golongan ini. "Lebih mendukacitakan, ada yang sekadar mendapat wang bantuan sumbangan yang tidak setimpal walaupun mengalami kecacatan kekal," katanya.

Harum nama negara
Selepas tamat perkhidmatan bersama ketenteraan, beliau tidak hanya berhabis masa, di rumah. Kini, lelaki separuh abad itu terus menyumbang khidmat baktinya kepada negara. Sebaliknya , khidmat bakti beliau diteruskan apabila dipilih menerajui kepimpinan tertinggi pengurusan sukan squash negara. Beliau diamanahkan untuk bertanggungjawab mengetengahkanbakat muda dalam sukan itu. Hasilnya, pemain squash dunia, Nicol Ann David dan AzlanIskandar dilatih sejak kecilsehingga mampu menjulangnama Malaysia, di mata dunia.

Katanya, pemilihan dibuat selepas mengambil kirapembabitannya dalam sukan ketika tempoh perkhidmatan bersama pasukan ketenteraan sebelum ini. "Saya mendapat peluang untuk membantu pengurusan squash Negara di bawah Institut Sukan Negara dan daripada situlah sehabis daya membantu mengembangkan bakat atlet muda yang mampu untuk diketengahkan.

"Dalam tempoh itu, kejayaan manis ketika mengetuai delegasi squash negara dalam Sukan Komanwel dan temasya sukan lain yang menjulang nama atlet muda di bawah seliaan saya, waktu itu. "Ia benar-benar satu pengiktirafan terbaik buat diri saya untuk terus konsisten mengangkat martabat negara daripada aspek yang berbeza walaupun selepas tamat ketenteraan," katanya.

Kini, susuk tubuh ini kekal optimis untuk terus membawa nama Malaysia ke peringkat lebih tinggi. Semangat juang tinggi insan ini wajar dicontohi masyarakat Malaysia untuk negara terus kekal aman dan sejahtera. Baginya, kesejahteraan negara tidak hanya bersandar kepada tugas pimpinan tertinggi negara, tentera atau polis, sebaliknya ia perlu mendapat keterlibatan semua. "Semoga Negara ini kekal aman, bebas daripada korupsi dan mendapat kesejahteraan yang baik daripada semua aspek," katanya. Selamat Hari Pahlawan!

Lt Col Wong Ah Jit (Bersara)

© Copyright 2016 - Developed for the People of Selangor

Sitting L to R: Kept Cheah Phee Cheng RMN (Rtd), Brig Gen Dr Leong Weng Foon (Rtd), Maj Tan Pau Son (Rtd) and Brig Gen Dato Hon Mun Loong (Rtd). Standing L to R: LAC Joe Pie Chong Seng RMAF (Rtd), CPO William Leong RMN (Rtd), CPO Ho Weng Kong RMN (Rtd), CPO Chen Ka Kim RMN (Rtd), Maj Godfrey Chang (Rtd), Maj Lee Kong Kok (Rtd), Lt Col Carol Loo (Rtd), Capt John Chai (Rtd), Capt Tong Lye Heng (Rtd), LAC Lee Kim Teck RMAF (Rtd), Maj Ong You Chai (Rtd) and Maj Ng Joo Chay (Rtd).

China Press Interview MACVA
14 Aug 17
In conjunction with Merdeka Day, China Press conducted an interview on MACVA. The event took place at MACVA office at the Boulevard, Mid Valley City. MACVs which related their heroic stories and contributions while serving the Malaysian Armed Forces includes:-
Brig Gen Dr Leong Weng Foon (Rtd),
MACVA President Maj Tan Pau Son (Rtd),
Capt John Chai Chuan Way (Rtd),
CPO Chen Ka Kim RMN (Rtd),
CPO Ho Weng Kong RMN (Rtd),
MACVA RMAF VP LAC Joe Pie Chong Seng RMAF (Rtd) and
LAC Lee Kim Teck RMAF (Rtd).

MACVA would like to express its sincere gratitude to China Press for highlighting the services and sacrifices of Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans (MACV) for the nation and thanks to Maj Lee Kong Kok (Rtd) for the coordinating work.

“我們有顆熾熱愛國心” 退伍老兵：繼續作貢獻
2017年8月30日

獨家報導：邱仁傑
獨家攝影：李玉珍

（吉隆坡29日訊）華裔退伍老兵對國家的貢獻良多，對他們而言，就算退伍了，他們身上仍肩負著“任務從未中斷、貢獻一直延續”使命；更鼓勵華青要當兵，身體力行來愛國。

華裔退伍軍人協會會長陳保山（退役陸軍少校）指出，華裔退伍軍人對國家貢獻卓著，他任與所有華裔一樣，都各自在各個領域扮演好角色，愛護國家。

"如果有人認為華裔不愛國的話，那么有可能是他們閉上眼睛，不了解事實。”

他是在配合國家獨立60週年，接受《中國報》訪問時，這么指出。

陳保山說，就華裔退伍軍人貢獻方面，華裔老兵與其他種族的老兵一樣，奉獻生命，為國家和元首效命。

“我們希望人們可以對華裔老兵和所有軍人對國家貢獻有所肯定，所有各種族的人民，都在為國家未來而努力。”

勿抹煞貢獻

他指出，華裔老兵已經展示了對國家的愛護，而且永遠也會繼續展示這股愛國精神。

他說，不管在馬共時期或者馬印對抗時期，甚至是在海外執行維和任務，都有華裔老兵身影，也許在這和平時期，人們會忘記老兵貢獻，不過華裔老兵的貢獻是無法被抹煞的。

另外，也是華裔退伍軍人協會前會長的退役陸軍准將梁永寬指出，華人和其他大馬人一樣，愛護國家，就像其他人一樣，不管他們是軍人、警察或是在私人領域，大家都是在為國家做貢獻與國家同在。

“如果再給我們機會，我們一樣會再一次的為國家做出貢獻。”

所有華人都是愛國

梁永寬說，如果有人認為華人會不愛國，那有可能是這些人受到不實的誤導。

“華人和其它種族，都在為國家付出，我們不應該邊緣化任何人，並說他們沒有為國家做貢獻。”

陳保山和梁永寬都認同，所有華人都是愛國的。

“如果他們是好商人，為國家帶來收入，那也是愛國；如果他們是好老師，那也是愛國；做好記者的工作，那也是愛國的體現。”

大馬是福地國民要珍惜

退役陸軍上尉蔡傳威，曾是一名陸軍裝甲部隊軍人，曾經在90年代前往波斯尼亞執行維和任務，就因為親身經歷過動盪戰亂的局勢，他希望國人要好好珍惜國家和平。

他指出，維和任務讓他見識和平的重要性，如果一個國家失去和平，整個國家，不管貧富，大家都會受苦。

“人民會失去教育、醫療停止、經濟發展也停擺等等；所以，這就是和平的重要性。”

對于來臨的國慶日，蔡傳威說，馬來西亞是一塊福地，人民更應該珍惜和平。

“政府應該把國家治理好，更不要因為爭權奪力，而典當和平。”

至于華裔當兵問題，他說，華青若有興趣參加軍隊，他們其實可以不妨一試。

他指出，軍隊本身是一個龐大複雜的體系，任何一項任務都會結合各兵種的合作，而在當兵的時候，他學會了管理上的知識。

當兵得到寶貴經驗

退役海軍曾嘉錦是在80年代加入海軍，其父母親都以他在海軍當兵而感到驕傲與光榮。

記得有一次，他正在處于上岸假（on shoreleave）， 這時有一位士兵前 來父母的家， 要求他返回海軍基地報到，準備出海前往沙巴。

“記得當時，我鄰居們對我從事海軍職感到驚訝，也因為如此，他們更尊重我的父母，因為有一位孩子為國家效命。”

曾嘉錦在海軍服務時，曾經在多艘軍艦上服務，而這些都是他非常珍貴的經驗。

其實他以前第一選擇是當一名警察，后來見到海軍的招募廣告，而選擇了加入海軍。

“海軍教會了我們很多東西，其實華青們選擇加入軍隊是好的，軍隊也是一種事業，在軍隊里得到的經驗和訓練，永遠是最寶貴的，是金錢無法買到。”

抱握機會深造提升自己

退役海軍何永江則回憶，其父親從沒有“好男不當兵”概念，反之當年是父親拿著海軍招兵廣告，讓他去當兵。

他指出，在海軍內，軍隊給了他機會和經驗，包括在當兵時修讀和考到了大學學位，讓他有著更好的生活。

他追憶，有一次在艦上出勤時，他趁著空檔讀書，艦長見到這種情況，馬上幫他申請調離船上，回到岸上部門，讓他更專心去深造。

他說，軍隊內有著很多機會和經驗，是可以去爭取和體驗，好好去體驗軍隊里一切，能夠獲益。

“我于1979年加入海軍時，沒有多久就獲得去印度讀書的機會。所以，我想鼓勵華青去參軍，並在軍隊內，爭取和體驗軍隊內的一切機會。”

辛勤工作擁機械知識

彭聰成與李建德都是退役空軍地勤人員，他們都沒有后悔加入空軍，反之認為在空軍的日子，是最美好的回憶。

李建德是一位空軍機械士，其兄長也是一名前海軍；1980年，李建德加入了空軍，大部分時間都是駐守在關丹空軍基地。

李建德是因為一個機遇而加入空軍，得以接觸到軍用直升機與戰機的維修工程，這樣的經驗是非常珍貴的。

他說，這些從空軍所學得的機械知識，都對他后來的事業都有所幫助。

他透露，在軍隊只有勤勞的工作，所獲得的機會都是平等。

“我也想鼓勵更多華青加入軍隊，在軍隊獲得的知識，對自己都是好的。”

紀律磨練受益不淺

彭聰成也是在80年代加入空軍，同樣也是一位機械士；他在中五時，父親就向他說：“你有兩個選擇，一個就是跳飛機，二就是加入軍隊。”

他后來選擇了軍隊，這不僅讓他獲得機械知識的訓練外，也能參加軍事演習。

他並不后悔選擇加入空軍，因為在這段時間所經歷過的事情，也是他個人生涯中最重要的一刻。

“空軍讓我學會了紀律與自信，紀律是成就一件事情的重要因素。甚至后來在我的個人事業中，靠著空軍磨練出的訓練，都有所幫助。”

他指出，不管是軍隊或警隊，在紀律部隊內所學到的東西都是非常棒的知識，所以他很常鼓勵華青從軍。

中国报版权所有 Copyright 2017 © The China Press Berhad

L to R: Lt Col Wong Ah Jit (Rtd), Capt Dato Liew Siong Sing (Rtd), Kept Cheah Phee Cheng RMN (Rtd), Brig Gen Dato Lau Kong Cheng RMAF (Rtd), Maj Lee Ah Pow (Rtd) PGB, Maj Tan Pau Son (Rtd), Sgt Choo Woh Soon (Rtd) PGB, Laksma Datuk Kay Hai Thuan RMN (Rtd), Brig Gen Dr Leong Weng Foon (Rtd), Maj Godfrey Chang (Rtd) and Maj Lee Kong Kok (Rtd).

The Star and Sin Chew Interview MACVA
9 Aug 17
In conjunction with Merdeka Day, The Star and Sin Chew conducted an interview on MACVA. The event took place at MACVA office at the Boulevard, Mid Valley City. MACVs which related their heroic stories and contributions while serving the Malaysian Armed Forces includes:-
Brig Gen Dato Lau Kong Cheng RMAF (Rtd),
Brig Gen Dr Leong Weng Foon (Rtd),
Kept Cheah Phee Cheng RMN (Rtd),
MACVA President Maj Tan Pau Son (Rtd),
Maj Lee Ah Pow (Rtd) PGB,
Capt Dato Liew Siong Sing (Rtd) and
Sgt Choo Woh Soon (Rtd) PGB.

MACVA would like to express its sincere gratitude to The Star and Sin Chew for highlighting the services and sacrifices of Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans (MACV) for the nation and thanks to Maj Lee Kong Kok (Rtd) for the coordinating work.

Remembering Our Military Vets
Star Nation Article
Thursday, 31 August 2017 BY GRACE CHEN

macva Interview Video Clip

For honour, love for King and country and as a last-ditch attempt to discipline a wayward child. These were the frank revelations from members of the Malaysian Army Chinese Veterans Association (MACVA) on how they ended up in the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF).

Lee Ah Pow, a retired army major and a recipient of the Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB) medal, said he was nearly disowned by his father for joining the army.

Now 80, Lee still tears up and chokes with emotion at the memory of his father arriving in slippers and shorts at the Federation Military College in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan, to confront him.

As the only son among six siblings, the then 18-year-old did not tell his father he had joined the cadet wing. For parental consent, Lee forged his father’s signature in Chinese. To explain his absence he cooked up a tale about going for further studies.

But eight months before his passing out, someone from his village saw him in uniform and duly reported it to his father.

“My father came all the way to Port Dickson from Rompin to confront me. When he found me, he said, ‘Come out’.

Lye Lee’s unit in Congo consisted of a multiracial mix.

“I said, ‘No. I have already signed up’. That was when he turned to me and said, ‘Don’t come back’,” recalled Lee.

For the next two years, Lee could not celebrate Chinese New Year with his family. But in the third year, he braved himself to go home. Lucky for Lee, his father forgave him.

But like many Chinese who had contributed to the nation’s defence, Lee said he had no regrets. As a child, he witnessed Japanese soldiers abusing civilians.

In retrospect, becoming a soldier was his way of exacting revenge, in particular on communist terrorists who had tortured his father so badly that he ended up becoming hunched.

Lee and Choo showing their Panglima Gagah Berani medal.
Choo during his time in the military.

For Eco World Foundation chief executive officer Captain (R) Datuk Liew Siong Sing, now 61, the army was a turning point in his life. His father had caught him smoking in a coffeeshop and after a tight slap, he was told to either get his act together or get out.

The young and rebellious Liew opted to do the latter, which explained how he ended up in the Royal Ranger regiment.

“The army taught me about teamwork and leadership. No other organisation will have such training to build character,” he said.

He added that most who eventually leave the armed forces for civilian life do very well due to the discipline inculcated during military life and the ability to adapt easily to different situations.

MACVA president Major (R) Tan Pau Son affirmed that there were quite a number of Chinese who joined up in response to a call to defend the nation against communists.

One of them was Sergeant Choo Woh Soon, now 79, who shot dead a communist terrorist during an ambush at a banana plantation in Sungai Ruan, Pahang, in 1959. He was awarded a PGB medal for his bravery.

He said the influx of Chinese in the armed forces came about after a call was made by the late Tun Tan Cheng Lock in 1955 for participation in the military and police forces to aid in the nation’s defence and peacekeeping missions. The first MCA president was no stranger to the atrocities of communist terrorists, having survived a grenade attack in Ipoh in 1949.

Tan said there was a need to correct the misconception that non-Malays had taken a backseat in terms of the nation’s defence and peacekeeping missions.

Neither was it true that the coalition of communist terrorists were solely made up of ethnic Chinese.

Tan, who was commanding officer of three army ordnance depots in Pahang, a red area, remembered having to deal with the Tenth Regiment of the Malayan National Liberation Army, the armed wing of the Malayan Communist Party.

“They were very active in Pahang. One day when a thunderflash went off near our depot, I thought we had come under communist attack. This branch of the communist wing was made up of Malays,” said Tan.

In his 15 years of duty with the MAF, Tan, 73, now the executive chairman of Tanming Berhad, became the first qualified accountant and chartered secretary. He played a part in the setting up of Koperasi Tentera in 1976.

He added that unlike yesteryear when minimal educational qualification was required, a private in today’s modern army would require a college diploma at the very least. He also said salaries have become more attractive as a sergeant would be able to take home around RM3,000.

Brigadier General (R) Datuk Lau Kong Cheng.

But salaries aside, the MAF is where the adventurous can have a fulfilling career, said Brigadier General (R) Datuk Lau Kong Cheng (pic), 68, who joined the Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) in 1967.

Lau led two RMAF aerobatic teams in 1975 and 1996, and has flown twice with the Red Arrows, the British army’s aerobatic team, in Butterworth.

For National Day, Lau hopes the nation will remember all the veterans who contributed to its independence, stability and development.

Copyright © 1995-2017 Star Media Group Berhad (ROC 10894D)


Retired Navy Captain Recalls His Hectic Task On Historic Day
Star Metro Article
Thursday, 31 August 2017 BY GRACE CHEN

Cheah with a photo of his days as a navy cadet. The second photo shows a parade on the occasion when Tunku Abdul Rahman accepted the handover of the navy from the British in 1958.

ON THE morning of Aug 31 1957, as the nation celebrated its independence, Capt (Rtd) Cheah Phee Cheng, then a cadet officer in the Malayan Navy was told off for being too polite.

At that time, Cheah, now 79, had just turned 19 and his job was to usher the VIPs to their seats.

The procedure entailed the guests to present their passes, and based on the allocated seat assignments Cheah was to direct his men to lead them to their places.

But the former English College (also known as Maktab Sultan Abu Bakar) student, just four months into navy school, was still not used to giving orders and kept peppering his sentences with “please’.

“I was still learning how to be an officer. In the military, communication is short and clear to save time,” explained Cheah.

Despite the grandness of the occasion, there was neither time for elation or emotion because he was just too busy. “My only concern then was there be no mistakes with the seating,” he said.

Cheah said precision was the order of the day because of the sheer number of personnel from the army, the police and air force.

Their day had begun as early as 5am. March past rehearsals had taken place two days before the actual day. The navy had sent three platoons, numbering some 30 men, for the occasion.

The route started from the National Museum through the Padang (now Merdeka Square) and ended in Batu Road (now Jalan Tuanku Abdul Rahman). The navy’s position was after the British navy which had sent a frigate of 100 men.

He also saw military from the Fijian and New Zealand armies joining in the procession.

For accommodation, the navy cadets stayed at the Bok House, which was demolished in 2006. About 20 men slept in the living room on bunk beds. Cheah vividly recalls being impressed with the bathroom which had modern sanitation, a luxury even in the late 50s.

He said security was tight that day. There were strictly no civilians in the VIP area. Only military personnel. Though Cheah did not get to meet them in person, he knew the most important guests that day were seated on the main stage in Stadium Merdeka field.

They were the first Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Rahman Tuanku Muhammad, Prime Minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Al-Haj, Duke of Gloucester Prince Henry who was representing Queen Elizabeth II, British High Commissioner Sir Donald McGilivray and sultans of various states.

Stationed some three floors up in the grandstand, Cheah could see the Malayan flag being raised by Lt Komander Mohamed Sharif Kalam, also from the navy.

Following British tradition, the navy is responsible for the hoisting of flags and looking after the cortege for burial in official functions.

This, for Cheah who was standing upright in salute as the band played the original version of the Negaraku, was a solemn moment.

“I was proud to see this. That was when it struck me that this would be a historic day,” said Cheah.

Shortly after this assignment, Cheah left for Dartmouth, UK, for further training.

Copyright © 1995-2017 Star Media Group Berhad (ROC 10894D)


华裔军人参与建国一甲子．前军医梁永宽曾险境救人．带枪手榴弹只身出诊
除了持枪在前线，捍卫我国边防的军人外，军中还有许多无名英雄以自己的专业知识，支援前线、 以及以各种方式为国家作出贡献。

（吉隆坡31日讯）除了持枪在前线，捍卫我国边防的军人外，军中还有许多无名英雄以自己的专业知识，支援前线、以及以各种方式为国家作出贡献。

曾任武装部队医疗主任的梁永宽接受《星洲日报》专访指出，他是于1960年以学员身份加入武装部队，获国防部赞助前往研读医学学位，并在毕业后成为军医、在军中服务了36年。

这决定也同时满足了家人希望他从医的期望，并笑称由于他的岗位属支援性质，所以他的生涯不比其他军人惊险、刺激。

梁永宽进一步指出，军医也常参与社区关怀活动，有时驻扎在偏远地区，为当地民众提供就诊；有必要时也会使用陆军、空军的运输工具将病人送往医院；他也分享了一则赴险境救人的经历。

“其实我们（军医）还是有些紧张时刻，有一天上司告诉我有个急需治疗的病人在敌人出没的地区，他说没办法为我提供掩护，只能让我拿着手枪、手榴弹只身前往，那时我还没意识到危险性就答应了。

“虽然后来进展顺利，也成功为病患进行治疗，但那段路程让人非常不自在，因为当枪声响起时，你并不清楚这些子弹是不是会往你射来。这就是我的小小英雄事迹。”

顽劣少年培养好纪律
刘盛祥：从军改变了我

拿督刘盛祥则表示，他是于18岁入伍的，当时他还是个常出外溜达、抽烟等的“顽劣”少年，因此在背负着家庭殷切希望他能上进、拥更好前程的期盼下从军。

后来从军生涯也让他培养了纪律、积极关怀社会的成功特质，并在退伍转换跑道后取得不俗成就，包括担任了绿盛世基金会的首席执行员。

入伍一个月瘦30磅

那时我还18岁，应该是镇上最坏蛋的孩子，我在考完60年代教育文凭（MCE）后就到处闲逛，有次还被父亲发现我抽烟，他给了我个耳光并叫我找工作。

“后来我选择了从军，因为当初我将之视为逃离家庭的途径，不料入伍首日的训练就非常刻苦，后来也是一贯如此的刻苦。

“当时整村人都知道我是唯一入伍的华裔子弟，而父亲还是地方闻人，为了不想让他丢脸，我只有坚持了下来，甚至在第一个月我回家后，发现自己瘦了30磅 。”

他说，尽管如此军旅生活打造了，如今拥积极向上的性格，也更具纪律性，并认为这对于他退伍转换跑道后的生涯起着重要作用。

陈保山：常被委重任
助设军人合作社

陈保山分享说，他是军中少数的长期服役官员（Regular Officer），须服役至55岁的退休年龄，他也因为学业表现出色，常被上司委以重任，并曾修读电子资料处理课程、参与国防转型电子化计划、也自修考取会计师资格、协助成立军人合作社等。

“在敦拉萨时代，政府有意在军队设立合作社，上司让我负责了这项目。至今我仍想表达对时任财政部长敦陈修信的感谢，因为他为我们安排了低息贷款并以极优惠价购入一些股票，让我们得以建立一个能自给自足的合作社，相信至今这是唯一一间能负荷每年持续向会员派发逾10%高利息的合作社。

“后来我也曾被军中外借至拉曼大学学院，并创办会计、商业相关课程，为社会作出贡献。”

他表示，虽然从军不能完全等同于一般职业，华裔青年如今也开始面对失业问题，而从军有中士军衔（Sarjan）、每月能有3、4千令吉的收入，可说是不错的选择，更重要是这是少数能回报国家的一份工作。因此他希望华裔能多考虑从军这一选项。

刘光政：见证空军建设
机师优秀享誉国际

曾在大马皇家空军服务多年的拿督刘光政，见证了我国空军力量的建设，他指出，我国有不少优秀的机师，我国空中飞行队至今仍享誉国际，因为我国飞行队经常能作出最高难度的动作。

刘光政也曾和同僚在五国联防演习时，在模拟中骑乘CA27战机击败了幻象3战机；他说，这说明我们的战斗机机师是有竞争力的，甚刘光政（中）经常与各族机师组队，参与国际性的空中飞行赛事，成功争取多项荣誉，让我国的空中飞行队得以名扬国际。

至比国外的机师表现更优秀。

“我国空军机师飞行技术的优秀也常体现在参与空中飞行表演中。当年我常与各族机师一同组队参赛为我国赢下不少荣誉。”

3次事故都没选弃舱逃生

刘光政多年的飞行生涯，曾数次面临战机故障或失灵的情况，其中有3次是格外惊险、可能导致坠机致命的；但他考虑到战机是我国得之不易的国家资产，3次事故都不选择弃舱弹射逃生，而是凭藉自身的飞行技术成功一一应对。

“考虑到战机是国家昂贵及重要的资产，因此第一时间我都没选择弃舱逃生，而是选择自己应对。当然在空中时是不会太紧张的，因为一切都是霎时间的决定、多是依赖本能在完成；但直至安全降落时，才出了一身冷汗，察觉自己与死亡如此接近过。”

后来刘光政因为视觉退化关系，才开拓他空军生涯的另一阶段，并在战略研读上挖掘到乐趣，不断地提升自己。最终他也被委以主导我国购置首批战机鹰式战机的重任，监督了鹰式战机包括购买、训练及使用等各阶段进程；可说是最大程度参与了我国寻求建设空军力量中、最具里程碑意义的事件。

谢匹清：出席庆典见证独立
亲见国父高喊默迪卡

英殖民时期就已入伍海军的谢匹清表示，他曾出席我国的独立庆典，亲见国父高喊三声默迪卡，看着英国国旗在我国落下，首次换上我国国旗；见证并参与了我国独立的重要时刻。

“我在英殖民时就入伍了，曾在英国、新加坡受训；其中最让我难忘的一次任务是参加独立庆典，并帮忙招待出席嘉宾。

“只记得当天很忙，也来不及留下些特别感想；因为我们早上在庆典需要招待出席嘉宾们，中午还要与空军代表进行一场钩球友谊赛，到了晚上还要参与英国最高参政司主持的宴会。”

谢匹清服役的大部份时间都在海上航行度过，也曾在海上见证了马印对抗时期（Konfrantasi），感受双方剑拔弩张的紧张气氛。

“马印对抗时期，我们经常需要通宵达旦地站岗，虽然当时没有什么大型冲突，双方军队也没越界，但是对方常鼓励一些民众，闯入我们的海域进行侵扰。”

李亚保：刚果维和任务
被百人包围陷险境

80岁的李亚保叙述了获得英勇军官荣誉徽章的过程，他是于1962年代表国家参与在刚果的维和任务，有一次他与印度军团的印度籍司令及其他同僚共12人在执行任务时；却陷入当地武装分子逾100人的包围圈中，身陷险境。

“任务的前半段一切都还好，不料当我们去到一条路的尽头时，才发现不妙、我们已遭30名当地武装分子包围于中间，司令命令我前往与他们沟通。

“那是一个非常危险的处境，因为我们4辆军车都盛满汽油置于他们射程内，只要子弹打穿油缸，我们将葬身火海，而我们的军车相互靠近，就如同置于同一篮子的危卵。”

他继续说道，对方以当地土话喊着马来西亚的都不是好人，要&”侵占”他们国家，不管他如何解释这只是维和任务都不果；同时他也发现对方像喝醉酒般、有些失控，只得先撤退，不料此时一颗来自敌方的子弹掠过他的耳朵。

“我只得下令4辆军车结成钻石阵型，边向对方开火边向前迈进；结果我们推进了逾20码，后来对方的枪声停下了，他们开始拔腿就跑。

“原来我们在不知情下冲进他们的防守阵里，所以他们才四处逃逸，如果当时我下令扫射，他们无一人可生还。但我回想我们之前的处境，我们队里有一个秘书及文官，他们都被吓得尿裤子了，上司也惊慌得无法开枪了；如今境况调换了，我就下令停火让他们离去。”

李亚保就凭藉这次的英勇事迹，获该印籍司令官的推荐，成为首名获得英勇军官荣誉徽章。

大马华裔退伍军人协会主席陈保山也指出，李亚保是少数获得该荣誉的华裔已非常难得，而被外籍军官推荐而获奖，更是绝无仅有的事迹。

朱和顺：受敦陈祯禄感召
华裔子弟参军报国

另一名获得英勇军官荣誉徽章的华裔军人，则是在与马共对抗时以一敌三击毙对方3人的朱和顺。

朱和顺是回应时任马华总会长敦陈祯禄呼吁华裔子弟参军报国的号召，选择于1956年入伍。

“我入伍受训后前往驻扎在彭亨一带的部队，当时政治部发出警报，说有马共分子活跃于彭亨野牛地（Seladang）的一种植地，我们受命趁夜袭击马共分子。”

他也说，后来这3人都被证实是由全马来人组成的马共第10部队（10rejimen），其中一人还是曾参与刺杀英国最高参政司的马共高级领导。

文章来源： 星洲日报‧独家报道：刘耀胜‧摄影：黄志汉‧2017.08.31

RTM Interview Brig Gen Dr Leong Weng Foon (Rtd) and Maj Patrick Wong Sing Nang (Rtd)
28 Jul 17
In conjunction with Himpunan Raksasa Veteran (HRV) event on 31 Jul 2017, RTM interviewed MACVs Brig Gen Dr Leong Weng Foon (Rtd) and Maj Patrick Wong Sing Nang (Rtd) at Wisma TV today. Also present at the event are MACVA Hon Treasurer Maj Godfrey Chang (Rtd), Lt Col Carol Loo Lee Fum (Rtd), MINDEF Public Relations (PR) and JHEV representatives.

MACVA would like to express its sincere gratitude to MINDEF PR and RTM for highlighting the services and sacrifices of Malaysian Armed Forces Chinese Veterans (MACV) for the nation and kudos to Lt Col Carol Loo Lee Fum (Rtd) for the coordinating work.

With MINDEF PR and JHEV reps at Wisma TV.

macva RTM Broadcast on 29 Jul 17

macva RTM Broadcast on 30 Jul 17

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