Jungle remedy: Kiong holding up a bottle of herbal powder the communists gave him to treat gunshot injuries. The powder, said to be made from 30 jungle-sourced herbs were used to ‘plug’ bullet wounds and instantly cease bleeding. The militants feared excessive bleeding would leave a blood trail that could lead security forces to their hideouts.
PETALING JAYA: National hero and former police superintendent Datuk Paul Kiong said the patriotism of non-Malays should not be doubted as they had equally and immensely contributed to building the nation even before Malaysia (then Malaya) attained independence.
He said a large number of non-Malays served in the police and military, with many being wounded or killed in action battling threats the country faced pre- and post-Independence.
Kiong said he takes offence each time the loyalty and patriotism of non-Malays are questioned, especially by irresponsible individuals out to gain political mileage for themselves.
“It is very hurtful to hear such scathing comments especially when one has sacrificed or risked his or her life to defend their country.
“The communist terrorists (CTs) I captured and killed were all Chinese. There was not a moment their race left me hesitant to kill them. Not once. My priority was the wellbeing of my country and my loyalty was solely for her.
“If I am asked to take up arms and serve my nation again, I would not do it any differently,” he told The Star.
Kiong said with the recent 67th National Day and upcoming Malaysia Day, Malaysians should appreciate and be grateful for the peace and harmony they enjoy.
“Let us not forget what it took for us to get here and those who had contributed towards it.
“To the younger generation, remember your sense of patriotism must be at the highest always. You will only feel this way if you recognise yourself and fellow citizens as Malaysians and not by ethnicity,” he added.
Looking back on the years he had put his life on the line for the wellbeing of the nation, Kiong said he does not have the slightest regret in doing so despite missing out on raising his family.
“One time, when I showed up at my house after a lengthy posting in the jungle, my son who was a little boy then could not even recognise me anymore.
“There were countless times I had a close brush with death during the espionage and shootouts with CTs, but it was worth it. We hit the enemy hard and we won,” he said.
For his sacrifices and display of extraordinary gallantry, Kiong received the country’s highest federal award, the Darjah Kebesaran Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa, also known as the Grand Knight of Valour, in 1983, often granted posthumously and ranked above all others including the Tun award and those meant for Malaysian royalty.
In 1988, his brave deeds were again given recognition when he received Perak’s highest gallantry award, the Pingat Keberanian Handal (PKH) for eliminating six CTs in the state.
Eight years later, he received the Pingat Pahlawan Pasukan Polis (Police Gallantry Award) from the police force and in 2011 he was bestowed a Datukship with the Panglima Mahkota Wilayah federal award.
Kiong also said the government should look deeper into the welfare of police and military veterans to ensure their welfare is not neglected.
