IPOH: A sombre silence fell over the crowd at the Perak-level Warriors' Day celebration Friday (July 31) as a pantomime re-enacted one of Malaysia’s darkest chapters.
The emotionally charged re-staging of the Al-Ma’unah incident in Bukit Jenalik, Sauk, Kuala Kangsar, 26 years ago was carried out by 53 Armed Forces and police personnel at the state secretariat building here.
"Operasi Subuh" paid tribute to the courage and sacrifice of the nation’s security forces and was performed before Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Muizzuddin Shah.
It depicted how the July 2, 2000 incident unfolded after Lt-Gen (Rtd) Datuk Seri Zaini Mohamad Said received an urgent call from Second Division Commander Maj-Gen Datuk Khairuddin Mat Yusof, informing him of a security breach.
The Bukit Jenalik tragedy claimed the lives of Koperal Detektif R. Sanghadevan and Army Gerup Gerak Khas commando Trooper Mathew Medan.
The pantomime revolved around the skirmish between national security forces and the militant group calling itself "Al-Ma'unah", which planned to overthrow the government.
On the day of the incident, a group of 20 men pulled off a raid, seizing guns and ammunition from the 304th Battalion (Infantry) Territorial Army near the Temenggor Dam in Gerik.
In an attempt to end the standoff peacefully, Zaini decided to meet the man behind the militant group, Mohamed Amin Mohamed Razali, personally.
The tense encounter ended with security forces overpowering and detaining the Al-Ma'unah members.
Amin was hanged in 2006.
Earlier, Sultan Nazrin graced the state-level Warriors’ Day celebration at Dataran Bangunan Perak Darul Ridzuan.
Also present were Raja Muda of Perak Raja Jaafar Raja Muda Musa and Raja Di Hilir Perak Raja Iskandar Dzurkarnain Sultan Idris Shah.
Sultan Nazrin, who arrived at 9am, was received by Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad, Western Fleet Commander Vice-Adm Datuk Baharudin Wan Md Nor, Perak police chief Comm Datuk Mohd Alwi Zainal Abidin and 2nd Infantry Brigade Commander Brigadier Gen Mohamad Rosli Abu Bakar.
The ceremony began with the singing of the state anthem before Sultan Nazrin inspected a guard of honour comprising three officers and 103 personnel from the Royal Engineers Regiment, 2 Division, led by Maj Mohd Izuan Mohamed.
A recital of the poem Pahlawan was then delivered by Lt Hadzeri Julai of the 503rd Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment, and Kpl Nurul Syuhada Azmi from the state police contingent headquarters.
The ceremony concluded with the sounding of the Rouse, the raising of the Jalur Gemilang, the singing of the Perak anthem and a march-past by the guard of honour.
Sultan Nazrin later attended a reception at the Banquet Hall before departing.
Observed annually on July 31, Warriors’ Day honours members of Malaysia’s Armed Forces and security services who sacrificed their lives or rendered distinguished service in defending the nation’s independence, peace and sovereignty.
The annual commemoration also serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the country’s security personnel in safeguarding the nation for future generations.
The date marks the official end of the Malayan Emergency on July 31, 1960, subsequently designated Warriors’ Day in recognition of the country’s victory over the insurgency and the sacrifices of its security forces.
