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Abdullah (seated centre) poses for a group photo with veterans and PVTKR members. Flanking him are Jabu (right) and Melintang.
KUCHING (Dec 4): The proud 160-year legacy of the Sarawak Rangers and the Malaysian Royal Ranger Regiment was honoured at the Ranger Corp Army Veterans’ Association’s (PVTKR) 10th anniversary and fundraising dinner held in conjunction with Warriors Day 2025 on Tuesday.
Former Army Field Commander Lt Gen (Rtd) Datuk Stephen Mundaw, who is PVTKR advisor, led the tribute and urged Sarawakians to remember the sacrifices, courage and unbroken fighting spirit that have defined the Rangers from the Brooke era to modern-day operations.
“We honour tonight the contributions of our Rangers, including those who have fallen, and we strengthen their legacy for future generations,” he said.
“The spirit of ‘agi idup agi ngelaban’ (as long as we live, we fight) is not just a motto — it is the philosophy that shaped our identity as warriors.”
Mundaw spoke about the personal sacrifices borne by Ranger families — long separations, dangerous deployments, missed milestones and the silent burdens carried home.
He cited the late Awang Raweng and the late Sergeant Kanang Langkau as among the many warriors whose bravery must be remembered by the younger generation.
“Some children never knew their fathers’ faces. Some wives waited without certainty. But these warriors never asked what they would receive — they simply said, ‘I am ready’,” he said, while reminding veterans they are never alone.
He also called on young Sarawakians to carry forward the legacy built by generations of Rangers.
“Do not let their names fade. These are the values — discipline, respect and courage — that shaped Sarawak into what it is today.”
The highlight of the evening was the unveiling of the book ‘Laskar Berani’ by Deputy Minister in the Premier’s Department Datuk Abdullah Saidol.
A briefing titled ‘Sarawak Rangers: A Legacy of Courage That Shaped the Nation’ traced the unit’s origins to the Brooke-era ‘Fortmen’ formed in 1862 to defend Sarawak during a turbulent period.
Disbanded in 1932 and reactivated during the Second World War, the force was renamed the Sarawak Rangers (Malayan Unit) in 1953 before joining the British Army and being disbanded again on Sept 15, 1963 — a day before Malaysia was formed.
With the birth of the nation on Sept 16, 1963, the First and Second Battalions of the Royal Ranger Regiment were established in Ulu Tiram, Johor. Today, the regiment comprises 11 battalions known for discipline, resilience and operational excellence.
Its battalions have served in major operations including the Second World War, the First and Second Emergencies, the Brunei Rebellion, the Indonesia-Malaysia Confrontation, the 1969 riots, the communist insurgency, the 2000 Bukit Jenalik incident, and the 2013 Lahad Datu intrusion.
The regiment has produced numerous national heroes, including three recipients of the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP), one recipient of the George Cross, and 22 recipients of the Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB).
PVTKR, established in 2015, now has 1,050 members and is committed to preserving the heritage of the Sarawak Rangers and the Royal Ranger Regiment. Its enduring motto ‘agi idup agi ngelaban’ remains a powerful symbol of courage, loyalty and the unbroken warrior spirit of Sarawak’s finest.
Among those present at the event were former chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang; former state secretaries Datuk Jaul Samion and Datuk Ik Pahon Joyik; former Julau MP Datuk Joseph Salang Gandum; PVTKR president Lt Col (Rtd) Mohd Melintang Abdullah, and Ngemah assemblyman Anyi Jana.
English (US) ·