KUCHING: The first batch of former police and military personnel who served Sarawak during the communist insurgency and periods of armed conflict were presented with the Pingat Jasa Pahlawan Sarawak medal at an investiture ceremony held here today.
The state medal recognises security personnel who served in Sarawak for at least 12 months, regardless of whether they originated from Sarawak, Sabah or Peninsular Malaysia, in appreciation of their sacrifices in defending the state during the Communist Insurgency.
According to Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, the medal was created to honour those who risked their lives during one of the most challenging periods in Sarawak’s history.
“The medal is intended to remember those who fought against communist militants and defended Sarawak during a very difficult period in our history.
“It does not matter whether they served in the army, navy, air force or police. Those who served Sarawak and faced the same dangers deserve to be recognised,” he said in an exclusive interview with Sarawak Tribune.
Wan Junaidi said the idea for the award originated in 2023 after he met representatives of former police and military associations following his decision not to contest another parliamentary election.
During the meeting, discussions centred on the welfare of former security personnel and the absence of a Sarawak-specific award recognising those who defended the state.
He subsequently established an action committee comprising representatives of former police and military personnel and personally drafted the working paper proposing three initiatives: the establishment of the ‘Pingat Jasa Pahlawan Sarawak’, special consideration for permanent resident status and improved housing assistance for eligible veterans.
The Premier received the committee’s request positively when the committee paid him a courtesy call in 2023.
Furthermore, Wan Junaidi said the Sarawak Government approved all three proposals.
Besides the medal, the committee proposed that former security personnel from outside Sarawak who married locals, settled permanently in the state and raised their families here be given special consideration when applying for Sarawak permanent resident status.
“They fought for Sarawak, remained loyal to the state, married Sarawakians and raised their children and grandchildren here.
“Yet some of them continue to live in Sarawak without permanent resident status. We asked the government to give these individuals special consideration, provided that they fulfil all the state’s requirements and can prove that they have genuinely made Sarawak their permanent home,” he said.
Wan Junaidi said applicants would still be required to comply with all immigration procedures and documentation requirements.
The committee also proposed that a proportion of residential lots under future village extension schemes be considered for retired police and military personnel in recognition of their years of service.
Reflecting on Sarawak’s security history, Wan Junaidi said the state endured decades of conflict beginning with the colonial emergency, followed by the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation and the communist insurgency.
Seconded to the Police Field Force in 1968, he recalled the expansion of security operations across Kuching, Sibu, Miri, Sri Aman, Limbang and Lawas to counter communist militants.
“Finding militants in Sarawak’s dense jungles was never easy, and many of our personnel lost their lives while protecting the state,” he said.
Wan Junaidi, who served with the Police Field Force during the communist insurgency, said the struggle remained close to his heart because he had witnessed first-hand the sacrifices made by police and military personnel.
The ‘Pingat Jasa Pahlawan Sarawak’ serves as a lasting tribute to the courage and sacrifice of those who defended Sarawak during one of the state’s most challenging chapters, ensuring their service will be remembered for generations to come.
