MELAKA: The Rotary Club of Melaka has paid tribute to the forgotten heroes of the Straits Settlements Volunteer Forces (SSVF) during the launch of the club’s peacebuilding month at Bandar Hilir here.
The club’s new president, Datuk Ronald Gan highlighted the bravery of the SSVF, also known as the 4th Battalion of Melaka, a volunteer corps that defended then Malaya during the Japanese Occupation.
"Local volunteers who were loyal to the King and the country defended not just Melaka but the ideals of freedom, dignity and unity," he said in his speech at the event on Sun (Feb 23).
The event was also attended by Bandar Hilir assemblyperson Leng Chau Yen and the club’s D3310 District Governor, Dr Yap Lip Kee.
Gan noted that during that era, it was common for teachers, farmers, traders, and fathers to take up arms as volunteer soldiers.
"The British had a vast empire and could not dispatch many of their soldiers here, which led to the recruitment of local volunteers," he said.
Gan said the sacrifices made by the Melaka volunteers serve as a reminder to younger generations that peace is not given freely but earned through resilience, courage and selflessness.
"They stood as guardians of our community while embodying the very spirit of ‘service above self,’ a principle that we in Rotary hold sacred.
"Their legacy is a testament to the power of ordinary people achieving extraordinary things," he said.
Gan stressed that remembering history is not just about honouring the past but also about inspiring the future. "We gather here today not merely to recount history but to ignite a flame of inspiration.
"The story of the 4th Battalion teaches us that their sacrifices paved the way for a nation built on harmony," he said.
As Rotarians, he said, the members are the heirs to this mission.
"The peacebuilding month challenges us to bridge divides and sow seeds of understanding," he added.
