Witnessing firsthand the devastation and aftermath of the war between Croatia, Serbia, and Bosnia-Herzegovina over three decades ago profoundly changed the perspective of Yasin Usop on the value of the peace enjoyed by Malaysians.

Yasin, 69, said serving as a United Nations military observer in Bosnia-Herzegovina in 1994 exposed him to the harsh realities of a conflict driven by ethnic and religious divisions, including mortar attacks, armed threats, and gunfire.