THE Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association (PVATM) has so far located 39 graves belonging to soldiers who died fighting communist insurgents, as part of the association’s ongoing Jejak Pusara Pahlawan (JPP) initiative launched in 2019.
Its president, Captain (Rtd) Datuk Saharudin Omar, said that despite the progress made, a significant number of burial sites remain unidentified due to a lack of complete historical records—particularly for those who served in the military during the Malayan Emergency and subsequent counter-insurgency period between 1948 and 1989.
“According to historical records, a total of 1,529 members of the security forces were killed during the first and second Emergency periods, including police personnel. However, the absence of detailed information, especially for army casualties, has made it difficult for us to trace their final resting places,” he said.
Speaking after visiting the grave of the late Ranger Wan Hassan Idris at the Tok Gong Islamic Cemetery in Kampung Baharu, Saharudin explained that the JPP programme aims to honour the sacrifices of these fallen heroes through grave restoration.
“Once a warrior’s grave is identified, we upgrade the site with a new headstone, stainless steel fencing and a commemorative plaque,” he said.
Also present during the visit was Hulu Besut state assemblyman Husaimi Hussin, a relative of the late Wan Hassan.
Saharudin noted that some of the identified graves were in poor condition or unknown to the surrounding community, many of whom were unaware that a national hero had been buried in their village.
“Many of those who died in service never received medals for bravery. This initiative is a small gesture of gratitude from PVATM and a way of educating the younger generation—so they understand that the peace they enjoy today is the result of sacrifice,” he said.
Earlier in the day, Saharudin also visited the grave of another fallen patriot, Corporal Salleh Embong, buried at the Kampung Air Tawar Islamic Cemetery.
In Terengganu, only two such graves have been located to date—those of Wan Hassan and Salleh—both of whom served with the 7th Battalion Royal Ranger Regiment (RRD) and were killed in a deadly ambush by the North Kalimantan Communist Party (PKKU) on the Lundu–Biawak road in Sarawak on 26 March 1972. The attack claimed 15 lives in total.
Saharudin urged the next-of-kin of any soldiers killed during combat operations to come forward with information that may assist PVATM in identifying and honouring their graves.
“The war may be over, but remembrance must continue. These graves are more than markers—they are national legacies,” he said. - September 21, 2025
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