Published: Sunday January 6, 2013 MYT 6:13:00 PM
Updated: Sunday January 6, 2013 MYT 7:08:01 PM

Kanang Langkau laid to rest in full military honour

Pall bearers lowering Kanang's coffin at the Heroes Graves in Kuching.

KUCHING: The late Datuk Kanang Langkau was laid to rest at the Heroes Graves, here, in full military honour that was attended by some 3,000 people.

The casket carrying the last surviving recipient of the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP), Malaysia's highest award for bravery, was brought to the burial ground by eight pall-bearers made up of first warrant officers (PWI) representing the three services in the Armed Forces (MAF) led by PWI Michael Awie.

Energy, Green Technology and Water Minister Datuk Seri Peter Chin represented the federal government at the ceremony. Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister Tan Sri Alfred Jabu represented the state government.

Datin Brawang Chunggut sprinkles flowers on Kanang's grave at the Heroes Graves in Kuching.

Others present were Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin, Army chief General Tan Sri Zulkifli Zainal Abidin, Air Force chief General Tan Sri Rodzali Daud and Royal Malaysian Navy deputy chief, Vice-Admiral Datuk Mohammed Noordin Ali.

Rev Fr Michael Buma Galami, the dean of St Thomas Cathedral Kuching, performed the last rite at the ceremony before the casket was lowered down.

A Malaysian flag which draped the coffin was later folded by the pall-bearers and handed over to Jabu before he passed it to the late Kanang's widow, Datin Brawang Chunggat.

Jabu also headed the dignitaries to lay wreaths on the grave to conclude the ceremony.

Kanang, who died at the age of 68 of a suspected heart failure last Thursday, had served the armed forces for 21 years from 1962.

He was bestowed the SP and Pingat Gagah Berani (PGB) in 1981 following his sacrifices to the nation in combating communist terrorists where he almost lost his life.

Kanang also played an instrumental part in efforts to bring the remains of 21 Iban trackers, who were buried in several places in Peninsular Malaysia after they died fighting against communist insurgents in the 1960s, back to Sarawak where they were reburied at the Heroes Graves. - Bernama

News

Published: Sunday January 6, 2013 MYT 6:13:00 PMUpdated: Sunday January 6, 2013 MYT 7:08:01 PM

Kanang Langkau laid to rest in full military honour

Published: Sunday January 6, 2013 MYT 6:13:00 PM
Updated: Sunday January 6, 2013 MYT 7:08:01 PM