Umno MP for Batang Lupar, Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said recently in Parliament that it was unfair that "only the Malays could die in battle" while other races refused to join the armed forces but enjoyed the peace in Malaysia. This was reported in the mainstream media.

It is individuals like him and their rhetoric which hinder and repel non-Malay Malaysians from the armed forces. They choose to question the loyalty and integrity of non-Malay Malaysians, have no grasp of the code of military conduct or concept of the basic tenets of good citizenship.

MP Wan Junaidi may be forgiven for his lack of knowledge on the historical perspectives of the Malaysian Armed Forces as he may be totally ignorant of the number of brave men who have served and fallen in the service of King and country. But to slander the memory of those who gave their lives in defence of this country is an entirely different matter.

During the communist insurgency and confrontation with Indonesia, a significant number of non-Malays enlisted during those trying times. They joined the Reconnaissance Regiment (formerly Federation Armored Regiment) which was better known as 1st Recce. The non-Malays made up 60 percent of this regiment.

They performed with distinction during this troubling period in Malaysian history and also in service in the Belgian Congo under a UN Security Council mandate (see this site

).

The Corps of Rangers was integrated into Malaysian Armed Forces after the formation of Malaysia, from the British Far East Forces. It has the highest number of enemy kills recorded, fighting against the communists. Many have fallen for the honour and glory of the corps.

It is the only corps with a motto in the language of the warrior race of the Iban: Agi idup, agi ngelaban or in Malay Selagi ada hayat, selagi itu bersedia untuk berjuang dan berkorban (Fight to the end). That was the battle cry of the Ranger Corps.

At its formation, the Ranger Corps comprised mainly non-Malays. It was frequently engaged in the frontline, during the communist insurgency. Up to the end of the insurgency, the Ranger Corps had the highest number of medals of valour ever awarded to any branch of the armed services.

For example, the roll of honour, the nation's highest awards for gallantry and services rendered above and beyond the call of duty, was bestowed upon some of these men.

Killed in action:

Pegawai Waran II Lenggu anak China on Jan 20, 1971 was awarded posthumously the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP)

Kapten Mohan Chandran a/l Velayathan on June 13, 1971 was awarded posthumously the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (sp)

Kapten Shanmuganathan a/l Arampoo.on Jan 11,1974 was awarded Pingat Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB)

Retired or ended tour:

Pegawai Waran I Kanang anak Langkau was awarded the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) in 1980 and the Pingat Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB) in 1979, is currently the only surviving soldier in the history of the Malaysian armed forces to be awarded the two highest awards for gallantry.

Kapten Robert Rizal bin Abdullah (Retired Lt.Colonel) was awarded Pingat Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB)

Lt Muda David Fu Chee Ming who ended tour of duty as captain was awarded Pingat Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB)

Kapten Maurice Lam Chye Choon (retired colonel) was awarded Pingat Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB) on June 3, 1964, for defending the airport and members of the Italian air operations wing, from falling into the hands of rebel forces during the Congo crisis, as part of an UN intervention force.

A more comprehensive list can be viewed at this site .