Saturday January 5, 2013

Kanang was family, says fellow Ranger

KUCHING: Even after some misunderstanding and fist fights, at the end of the day the Sarawak Rangers hugged each other.

That was how much love and respect they had for each other regardless of race and religion.

Retired soldier Ranjit Singh, 63, being one of only a handful of Sikhs in the Rangers, said his memories of serving alongside the late war hero Temenggong Datuk Kanang Langkau were unforgettable because they were like brothers.

“That was how much love we showed each other. Regardless of race, we were treated like brothers. And Kanang was no exception,” Singh recounted his memories of serving as a Ranger throughout the 70s.

Singh came from Kuala Lumpur in 1969 before being transferred to Sarawak where he joined Kanang in the 4th Rangers in 1974. He now resides in Kuching.

“At the time we were lance corporals. We went on missions hunting down communists and enemies, sometimes for up to three months in the jungle.

“That was how our bond grew stronger, through the long hardship we felt together and taking care of each other,” said Singh after seeing Kanang’s body at the Sarawak General Hospital mortuary yesterday.

He said Kanang’s demise came as a shock as they had just met less than a month ago.

Meanwhile, Deputy Science, Technology and Innovation Minister Datuk Fadillah Yusof said Kanang’s Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban spirit should be instilled among the younger generations today.

“Now we are not at war like during Kanang’s younger days. But we can instil the spirit for the progress of the nation,” he said.

News

Saturday January 5, 2013

Kanang was family, says fellow Ranger