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Army colonel continues to serve, even after losing right leg

Colonel Zulkifli Tahir will always remember the date – Feb 8, 1986 – for it was the day he lost his right lower-leg in a booby trap laid during the communist insurgency.

Speaking about the harrowing experience, the 58-year-old army man said that he was leading the Close Observation Platoon of the 9th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment, commissioned to sweep and remove traps placed by the communists in the jungles of Gubir, Kuala Nerang, Kedah.

"My team of 18 members was assigned to check the route before the main battalion went through the area. I remember, the incident occurred at 7.15am on a Friday, when I was 26. I was with two other personnel checking the route on a hill in the jungle.

"However, fate did not favour us. During the inspection, a member accidentally stepped on a trap which triggered another trap near me," Zulkifli said when met by reporters after a ceremony held in conjunction with the 85th Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) Day to fete soldiers who were wounded in action.

Zulkifli's love for the country meant he did not just hang up his boots, but instead the injury gave him new resolve to serve, and he has been serving the force for more than 30 years, donning an artificial limb.

"It's my destiny, it's been 32 years using this fake limb. For as long as I am able to do so, I'll continue to serve with the MAF.

"For me, MAF's welfare towards its personnel has been the best. Despite my permanent disability, I have not been hindered from serving in this team," he said.

Meanwhile, MAF chief General Zulkifli Zainal Abidin, who officiated the event, said it was held to honour staff members who were injured during high-risk operations and exercises.

"The total number of injured personnel nationwide is 571, of which 56 are still serving and the rest are retired.

"The MAF is very concerned about the welfare of its members and we do not want those who were wounded in action to be taken for granted, as their service to the country is of the highest value," he said.

Also present were Army chief General Ahmad Hasbullah Mohd Nawawi, Navy chief Admiral Ahmad Kamarulzaman Ahmad Badaruddin and Air Force chief General Affendi Buang.

- Bernama

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