Senoi Praaq, jungle warriors extraordinaire

By Mohd Norzaidi Arjunaidi

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 25 -- The two heroes involved in the shootout at the Malaysia-Thailand border yesterday were members of the Senoi Praaq unit of the General Operations Force (PGA), a unit renowned for their capabilities since the communist insurgency period. 

The Orang Asli who make up the unit are skilled experts in jungle lore, knowledge that cannot be acquired through books.

“Their expertise is something that becomes a part of them and the knowledge cannot be gained through books but must be experienced in the forest,” said Senator Datuk Isa Ab Hamid, who represents the Orang Asli community in Dewan Negara.

A member of the Kuala tribe in Johor himself, Isa said the unit has built a sterling reputation for itself after being founded in May 1956 by Orang Asli Development Department director Lt Col R.O.D. Noone through its participation in various operations, including tracking communists, border control as well as search and rescue missions.

"The unit was established because the Orang Asli had tracking skills that could help security forces mount attacks on communists and contribute to the fight against the insurgency.

"They not only operated as an ambush unit but also as spies, forest trackers, and were known to be able to track communists using their sense of smell,” he told Bernama during a media conference in Bukit Aman yesterday.

In the early morning incident yesterday, Cpl Baharuddin Ramli, 54, was killed while his partner Cpl Norihan a/l Tari, 39, was seriously injured after exchanging fire with a group of smugglers around 600 metres from the TS9 command post in Padang Besar, Perlis.

Isa said although there is no longer any communist threat, the Senoi Praaq PGA is still very much needed, especially in joint border control missions with other security forces and tracking missions.

Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador acknowledged that the Senoi Praaq PGA team had a formidable reputation among smugglers at Malaysia’s borders.

Abdul Hamid, who was also present at the media conference, said they were known for their trustworthiness, integrity, abilities and excelled in their line of work.

Touching on the incident, Isa said that both men’s actions represented the Orang Asli’s unwavering commitment and sacrifice to the country.

Isa also requested that the standard operating procedure for surveillance operations at Malaysia’s borders be reviewed and improved to avoid such incidents in the future.

"This includes wearing bulletproof vests. I am not sure if the vests are supplied or not but it should be, especially in hot zones because they are facing risks daily,” he said.

In addition, Isa suggested that a book or documentary be made so that the public would be able to know more about the Senoi Praaq PGA unit.

-- BERNAMA