Sarawakians feel safer within Malaysia
The Borneo Post
September 17 2010 Friday
SRI AMAN: Kanang Langkau, 65 , a retired soldier with the rare honour of having been conferred two gallantry awards, sang praises for Sarawak's independence through Malaysia.
He said the participation of Sarawak and also Sabah, in the formation of Malaysia in 1963 had brought much benefit to the two states in terms of peace and security.
"After becoming a part of Malaysia, we in Sarawak no longer harbour any fear of foreign threats. In fact, we feel safer and are able to better focus on development, " he told Bernama when approached at the Malaysia Day celebration in Sri Aman.
Kanang, of the Dayak community, has joined the Sarawak Rangers, famous for the motto "Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban", as an Iban tracker on April 21st, 1962. He was absorbed into the Malaysian Rangers when Malaysia was proclaimed on September 16th, 1963.
He retired from the service after 21 years as Warrant Officer I. He was awarded the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa and the Panglima Gagah Berani awards by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong in 1981 and 1987 respectively.
These awards were for his bravery when dealing with the communist insurgents who outnumbered his team of soldiers and killed five of the enemy. His team also captured equipments as well in the Korbu Forest Reserve on June 1st, 1979.
Kanang said Sarawak was fortunate to have joined Malaysia because the people lived in peace and were united regardless of race and religion.
He said that the new generation of Malaysia should be made aware of the necessity to remain united in the spirit of 1Malaysia which transcended race and religion.
"In Sarawak, it is important to maintain unity among the people and to ensure that they are not marginalised from development and progress. " he said.
The Sri Aman Division Malaysia Day celebration was launched by the Deputy Domestic Trade, Cooperatives and Consumerism Minister, Datuk Rohani Abdul Karim.
semicyber: Right here, right now we have our true Sarawakian hero. Indeed he is happy and proud to be Malaysian. He has fought the communist insurgent under the administration of Tun Abdul Rahman Yaakub. Without him, communist will be a threat to the national security. Thanks to him and his team we are able to stay united and safe under the Malaysia Flag 'Jalur Gemilang'. Congratulations Kanang, you are indeed a Malaysian Hero
