VAT 69 Veteran Recalls Painful Loss Of Comrades In Fight Against Communists

MARANG, Aug 28 (Bernama) -- Only tears could capture the sorrow of former first-batch VAT 69 commando, Che Yak @ Embong Ngah, 77, who lost two close friends in a battle against communist insurgents 35 years ago.

Che Yak, affectionately known as Pok Yak, said his service to the nation began after joining the Police Field Force, now known as the General Operations Force (GOF), on June 8, 1968.

Three months into training, he was selected to join VAT 69 and was deployed to Sibu, Sarawak, for his first operation against communists from the North Kalimantan People’s Army (PARAKU).

“In Sarawak, the 30-member VAT 69 team joined forces with the Sarawak Border Scouts, made up of Iban fighters, to counter the communist threat.

“Within days in the jungle, our team was ambushed by about 60 communists, who were notorious for their practice of slaughtering enemies. Alhamdulillah, all of us survived,” he told reporters when met at Marang district police headquarters today.

Che Yak recently went viral on social media for his daily routine of walking more than 10 kilometres along the beaches in Marang while collecting trash.

Originally from Kampung Duyong Besar in Kuala Terengganu, he said he still remembers the day his friend Rizuan was shot dead by communists in Hulu Kinta, Perak, while another comrade, ASP Zamri, died after stepping on a landmine planted by communists in Sungai Siput, Perak.

Che Yak said throughout his service, he had participated in dozens of operations against communists before being forced to leave VAT 69 due to appendicitis.

“Rizuan was my best friend, while ASP Zamri was the officer I was closest to. We went on many operations together.

“I only served about three years with VAT 69 before I was reassigned to the VAT 69 Armament Unit in 1972 because of appendicitis. To serve in VAT 69, one must be truly fit and strong, as the duties are extremely heavy and challenging,” said the father of one.

Che Yak retired as a Sergeant Major at the Terengganu police contingent headquarters on Feb 1, 2004.

For his exemplary service, he received several medals, including the Pingat Pangkuan Negara, Bentara Pasukan Polis and Jasa Pahlawan Negara.

“My message for today’s generation is to always be ready to defend the country, and never let it fall into foreign hands.

“The independence we enjoy today is the result of the sweat, blood, and tears of the nation’s fighters,” he reminded.

-- BERNAMA