101-year-old ex-Iban tracker gets visits from PVATM, deputy defence minister

KAPIT (July 28): Centenarian Lulut Aloh, who served in the British army in 1953 and later the Sarawak Rangers, is likely the oldest surviving ex-Iban tracker today.

The 101-year-old, who hails from Rumah Kalat, Nanga Sungai Balang in Baleh here, has been bedridden since suffering a stroke on April 6 this year.

Upon his discharge from Kapit Hospital, Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association (PVATM) Kapit chairman Councillor Martin Bilun led a delegation to visit Lulut at his home in Bukit Goram here, where they presented him with a portable medical folding bed and other basic assistance.

“Many today do not know of or have forgotten his contributions to Sarawak’s peace and security in the 1950s, when he risked his life as an Iban tracker under Regiment 136,” said Martin, who paid a welfare check on Lulut yesterday.

It was informed that Martin pays periodic visits to Lulut to check up on his needs and condition.

The centenarian had also received a visit Friday from Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari, as part of the three-day Peduli Veteran Madani (PVM) programme in the central region of Sarawak.

Adly in a Bernama report said the programme is part of a series of PVM tours across Sarawak, including visits to Sibu, Kanowit, Kapit and Bintangor, with a focus on addressing veterans’ welfare and health issues.

“We recognise the need for assistance in welfare and health services for these veterans,” he was quoted saying in the report, during a stop in Sibu.

Born on July 8, 1923, Lulut lives with his son Dennis, daughter-in-law Sela Seluat and their three children. His wife Udin Tanjung passed away in 2018.