Iban Tracker and Sarawak Rangers: The Brave Few
Posted on September 4, 2012

Despite Sarawak’s official entry to the Malaysian Federation was in July 22,1963, Sarawakians’ contribution for the fight of Independence in Malaya begin as early as 1948. Malaya was under communist threats at that time, with the terrorist seems to have the upper hand in jungle warfare, it’s about time that the British recruited another master of the jungle to fight these bandits as well.

Having lived in jungle environment for hundreds of years, the indigenous people of Iban in Sarawak was seen as an appropriate option to do the job. And so, thousands of Iban men were recruited and sent to combat in hot spots across Malaya. One of them was Awang anak Raweng, the only Malaysian recipient of George Cross during the 12 years conflict which end in 1960.

While tracking the communist terrorist in Kluang on May 27, 1951, he and his patrol were ambushed by some 50 well-armed communist terrorist. During the fierce firefight which have already killed several of the patrol members, Awang managed to rescue a Private named Griff Hughes. Awang, however, was hit on the left thigh and right forearm during the process.

Despite his injuries, Awang remain firm and continue fighting until reinforcement came. While defending his injured colleague, Awang has managed to shot dead several communist insurgents.

Awang was lucky as 21 other Iban Trackers did not came back from their service in Malaya alive. Being buried for many years in various cemetery across the Peninsular Malaysia, their remains were exhumed in 2011 and returned to Sarawak as part of Ops Mai Pulai (Operation Home Coming). They were reburied at a cemetery behind St Joseph’s Cathedral in Kuching, near the World War II Heroes Memorial.

In 1962, a young Iban man by the name of Kanang anak Langkau has signed in to join the Sarawak Rangers. With Sarawak joining in the Federation, Kanang’s unit was amalgamated into the Malaysian Armed Forces and his unit was known as the Malaysian Ranger Regiment.

As the communist insurgent reinforced and regain their strength back, another insurgencies has started in the late 1960′s. The fighting got fiercer in years to come which peaks in the 1980′s. Kanang rose to fame when his Unit Combat Intelligent Section (UCIS) of the 8th Royal Ranger Regiment (8 RRD) met communist resistance in Tanah Hitam, Perak on February 19, 1980.


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Iban Tracker and Sarawak Rangers: The Brave Few
Posted on September 4, 2012

Despite Sarawak’s official entry to the Malaysian Federation was in July 22,1963, Sarawakians’ contribution for the fight of Independence in Malaya begin as early as 1948. Malaya was under communist threats at that time, with the terrorist seems to have the upper hand in jungle warfare, it’s about time that the British recruited another master of the jungle to fight these bandits as well.

Having lived in jungle environment for hundreds of years, the indigenous people of Iban in Sarawak was seen as an appropriate option to do the job. And so, thousands of Iban men were recruited and sent to combat in hot spots accross Malaya. One of them was Awang anak Raweng, the only Malaysian recipient of George Cross during the 12 years conflict which end in 1960.


While tracking the communist terrorist in Kluang on May 27, 1951, he and his patrol were ambushed by some 50 well-armed communist terrorist. During the fierce firefight which have already killed several of the patrol members, Awang managed to rescue a Private named Griff Hughes. Awang, however, was hit on the left thigh and right forearm during the process.

Despite his injuries, Awang remain firm and continue fighting until reinforcement came. While defending his injured colleague, Awang has managed to shot dead several communist insurgents.

Awang was lucky as 21 other Iban Trackers did not came back from their service in Malaya alive. Being buried for many years in various cemetery across the Peninsular Malaysia, their remains were exhumed in 2011 and returned to Sarawak as part of Ops Mai Pulai (Operation Home Coming). They were reburied at a cemetery behind St Joseph’s Cathedral in Kuching, near the World War II Heroes Memorial.

In 1962, a young Iban man by the name of Kanang anak Langkau has signed in to join the Sarawak Rangers. With Sarawak joining in the Federation, Kanang’s unit was amalgamated into the Malaysian Armed Forces and his unit was known as the Malaysian Ranger Regiment.

As the communist insurgent reinforced and regain their strength back, another insurgencies has started in the late 1960′s. The fighting got fiercer in years to come which peaks in the 1980′s. Kanang rose to fame when his Unit Combat Intelligent Section (UCIS) of the 8th Royal Ranger Regiment (8 RRD) met communist resistance in Tanah Hitam, Perak on February 19, 1980.

With one of his comrade seriously injured and Kanang himself was also seriously injured during the intense firefight, he and his unit has managed to kill 5 communist terrorists. First Warrant Officer Kanang was conferred with the Seri Pahlawan Perkasa (SP) and Pingat Gagah Berani (PGB) medals for his bravery. He was the only MAF serviceman who had ever being conferred with two bravery medals by the Malaysian Government

Kanang: Battle still fresh in my mind
My Star Online, Aug 1, 2012

KUALA LUMPUR: Thirty-two years have passed since he and his platoon members came face-to-face with the communists in the Perak jungles, but Temenggong Datuk Kanang Langkau remembers the incident as if it happened only yesterday.

He still gets teary-eyed when reminiscing about the Feb 19, 1980 incident, not because of his close shave with death but because of how his teammates had fought for their country.

“I am mighty proud to have been able to serve the country,” he said at the Warriors’ Day celebration. “I fought the communists, so I am disappointed that there are some who glorified the communists.”

Kanang said this in obvious reference to PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu who had allegedly praised communist guerillas over the Bukit Kepong incident.

Back then, Kanang and 30 other men exchanged fire with communist insurgents in the jungles of Ulu Kinta. Two rangers died while another lost his leg. Kanang himself took three rounds.

At yesterday’s celebration, a pantomime was staged in which a section of it was dedicated to the incident involving Kanang and his platoon members.

Asked how he felt being a part of the nation’s history, the 68-year-old Kanang said: “I can never be more proud. But this (fame) and medals are not the reward I expect for my service to the country. I just want the country to be peaceful and the people happy.

“Everytime I look at the Jalur Gemilang, I feel a deep sense of sadness and pride,” he said. “I hope that the younger generation appreciates the peace they enjoy today.”