Salute to Chinese army veterans

Brig Jen Dr Leong (left) receiving the certificate of registration from Defence Ministry’s Veteran Affairs deputy director Karim Husain, witnessed by Mohamed Affandi.

ARMY Chief Jen Tan Sri Raja Mohamed Affandi Raja Mohamed Noor paid tribute to Malaysian Chinese army veterans for having served king and country with pride, honour and patriotism.

He said the peace that the nation enjoyed today rested on many of their shoulders, from the early years of the Home Guard, Templer’s Super 12, where six out of the 12 were Chinese, the Federation Regiment, the Congo peacekeeping mission, the Confrontation, the urban communist terrorism, jungle warfare in Peninsular Malaysia, Sabah and Sarawak, to the more recent UN peacekeeping duties.

“You all did extremely well. For that I wish to record my gratitude and thank you.

“You have served with valour and won accolades to stand tall among the distinguished men and women of our Armed Forces,” he said during a ceremony to handover the registration certificate of the newly formed Malaysian Army Chinese Veterans Association (Macva) at the officers’ mess of the Sungei Besi Army Camp.

Macva, which currently has 200 life members, plans to increase its membership by adding veterans from the Navy, Air Force and Territorial Army.

Jen Raja Mohamed Affandi, who will take over as the Chief of Defence Forces on Dec 16, made special mention of the significant involvement of Chinese soldiers alongside the many other Malaysian Armed Forces personnel fighting the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) and the North Kalimantan Communist Party (NKCP).

“The Chinese Armed Forces members then were largely doing intelligence work with the Special Branch in defending our nation’s sovereignty.

“Since the 1950s until now, many of you together with your fellow Malaysian comrades, have served with full commitment and patriotism, answering the call of duty without worrying about putting your lives in jeopardy, all for king and country. I salute the veterans.

“Like others in the army, you had your fair share of heroes.

“A good number among you were bestowed with gallantry awards. You have been a good example and mentor to the juniors after you.

“Your loyalty to king and country could never be questioned.

“I am grateful and proud of the contributions of the Chinese veterans and call upon those serving to continue in the same spirit, and to have more Chinese youths to come forward to serve,” he added.

Jen Raja Mohamed Affandi said it was not just the men who had to endure weeks and months away but also their spouses and children were left at home, in and outside military camps.

He said the veterans’ distinguished services extended to the Royal Medical Corps too, noting that one army doctor even volunteered to be winched down into the jungle to save the life of a seriously wounded officer.

“A few of you had to diffuse bombs and explosive devices, without the modern protective gears we now have.

“Many among you excelled as instructors, were involved in forming new establishments, took over the role from the British Army, wrote SOPs that are still being used today.

"Individually, many among you did very well in courses locally and overseas. Many among you were bestowed with gallantry awards,” he added.

Earlier, in his speech, association president Brig Jen (Rtd) Dr Leong Weng Foon said Jen Raja Mohamed Affandi was instrumental in getting Malaysian Chinese army veterans to gather and should be called the “Father of Macva”.

He said the setting up of Macva was the second calling for veterans to serve the country again.

Macva committee member for public relations, Capt Dr Wong Ang Peng, said among the association’s aims were to foster and strengthen comradeship, unity and harmony among all veterans, provide charity to all deserving Malaysians, promote nation-building and provide continual support and serve as a resource to the Malaysian Armed Forces.

Macva has initiated three community-based projects.

The first is a team-building and leadership programme targeting youths, university students, and rural youths from all ethnic groups to instil unity, leadership qualities and patriotism.

The second is to motivate youths, especially those from the Chinese community, to join the army while the third is to launch a series of programmes to promote better health and lifestyles.

For more information, call 012-2019609 (Lt Kol (Rtd) Wong Ah Jit) or email: [e-mail], or 013-3399898 (Kapt (Rtd) Dr Wong Ang Peng) or email [e-mail]