On Tuesday 3rd April 2012, both NMBVA Branches met at Newforge Country Club, Belfast for a social evening.

The Northern Ireland Branch welcomed their new Patron Senior Assistant Commissioner 1, Royal Malaysian Police (retired) Dato’ Hj Ahmad Tejuddin and Datin Latipah binti Saffar from Kuala Lumpur.

Guests included some of the leading students of the Malaysian community (Queen’s University Belfast). They included Nur Farhana Jamaludin, Junainah Mohd Mahdee,Adam Zubir, Dr Raja Harun, Rita Harun, Raja Roslan Raja Mohamed and Tenku Mohd Afendi.

Dato’ Tejuddin was officially installed as Patron of the Northern Ireland Branch with gifts of a badge and certificate of office, a traditional blackthorn cane, NMBVA shield plaque, songkok badge and a DVD. These were presented by Graham Evans Branch Chairman, Alan Nichol Branch President, Harry Sharkey, George McFerran Branch Treasurer, Ron Moore and Leslie Smallman SBStJ. This was followed by Dato’ Tejuddin giving a humorous and entertaining speech of thanks.

Mr Philip Wells and Mr Peter Walker, both of whom served in Borneo with 1st Battalion Queen’s Own Buffs, The Royal Kent Regiment, were awarded the Pingat Jasa Malaysia medal and certificate by the new Northern Ireland Branch Patron on behalf of the Malaysian Government.

Hot food was served as guests mixed and talked amidst plenty of laughter. Our guest of honour has now returned to Kuala Lumpur, his next duty is to represent both Branches at the God’s Little Acre, Batu Gajah remembrance ceremony in June 2012.

Credit must be given to Graham Evans whose inspired idea it was to have a “get together” and did the organising for the event.

[Show as slideshow]

Mr Dennis Carpenter brother of navigator Geoffrey Carpenter. He was the prime mover of the recovery of the wreckage and remains of the crew, including his brother. Giving closure to the families of those onboard the ill-fated aircraft after 62 years.

Final burial of the remains of the victims of Dakota KN630 at Cheras Road, Commonwealth Cemetery, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia on 15^th March 2012

Those who attended included Relatives and Next of Kin, Local Ex British Army Association Members of Malaysia and Singapore, Representatives from the Malaysian Armed Forces and Royal Malaysia Police, The British High Commissioner to Malaysia H.E. Simon Featherstone, The Swedish Ambassador to Malaysia  H.E. Svend Waever, The Expedition Team that salvaged the remains from the jungle. Army, Police, Forensic, Historical Group. Team from British Army from the United Kingdom and Pressmen who made up almost the entire group that attended the ceremony.

The Service was conducted by The Reverend, Group Captain Jonathan Chaffey RAF. Major Colin Munce OC 47 Air Despatch Royal Logistics Corps, co-ordinated the Funeral. Major Munce hails from Belfast, Northern Ireland. The laying of the wreaths was carried out in accordance with the sequence as per wreath layers list.

There are already graves for the victims of the crash at the Cheras Commonwealth Cemetery before this and it is mentioned in THE COMMITTAL which reads as follows “At their earlier burials,our loved ones were entrusted to God’s mercy“. The names of the victims were read out. This was followed with “We now commit their mortal remains to a permanent resting place“.

Dato’ Ahmad Tejuddin, Patron of the Northern Ireland Branch laid a wreath on behalf of his own Branch and the Mid Ulster Branch of the NMBVA.

After the Burial Ceremony all guests were invited to a reception at His Excellency the British High Commissioner’s Residence.

The reception was followed with a Ceremony where the Next of Kin and Relatives of the Victims were awarded Queen Elizabeth Cross medals on behalf of Her Majesty The Queen, a duplicate copy of The Certificate of Service of each and every victim and a letter of Appreciation.

The whole Ceremony was definitely a moving and sensitive occasion with every detail attended to meticulously.

[Show as slideshow]

On 23rd February, a reply was recieved, reading;

I send my grateful thanks to the President and all members of the National Malaya and Borneo Veterans Association, Mid Ulster Branch. For their kind message of loyal greetings, sent on the occasion of the Sixtieth Anniversary of my Accession to the Throne.
In return, please accept my good wishes for a most memorable and enjoyable Diamond Jubilee year.
ELIZABETH R.

Picture L - R Air Marshall Sir Dusty Miller KBE., who is National President of RAFA, Tommy Gates, Graham Evans sporting his new songkok, Ron Moore, Tony Baker MBE., Lord Lieutenant for County Antrim Mrs Joan Christie OBE., LL., with the Lord Lieutenant's Cadet.

Also in attendance were Ron Moore, Tony Baker MBE., Derek and Jean Short, Graham Evans, Harry Sharkey, Pearl and Alison Coulter – all members of the two local NMBVA Branches.
There was a parade to and from the service, which was held in Holy Trinity, Church of Ireland.
On our return to the Royal British Legion there was a good spread, with Irish Stew, apple pie with cream and tea. It has to be added that un-named members had double helpings of stew!
Appreciation is extended to all RAFA Branches and especially RBL Portrush for their hospitality.

Northern Ireland Branch Chairman Graham Evans kindly stepped in to attend 817 (Lisburn) Air Training Corps prize-giving night on Thursday 9th February 2012 to make the very first award of the Nigel Coulter Memorial shield.

The annual award is for showing outstanding contribution to 817 (Lisburn) Squadron in the face of adversity or personal circumstance. This cadet has shown a commitment and a determination to succeed, a willingness to help both themselves and others around them and maintain a level of excellence within the Squadron and the Air Training Corps, irrespective of rank or service length.

The 2011 award was made to Cadet Corporal Keon Denny, who since October 2010 and during 2011 more than satisfied the criteria. The President and Members of the Mid Ulster Branch wish Keon well during what promises to be bright future for him.

I had the opportunity to Guard the Vietnamese Refugees Camp on Pulau Perhentian Besar, Besut, Terengganu on one rotation only. The sight of the Refugees is really PATHETIC. Imagine about 3000 people relying on a small well on an Island for water. There is no piped water as the Island id not habited and just a picnic spot. Food was short as it was so sudden.

Remember, the Life Magazine Picture of a South Vietnamese Police Officer shooting a suspected Viet Cong that Won the Press International Award as Most Outstanding Picture? Yes that man was with the First LST to leave Vietnam and was on Perhentian Island.

That was Vietnam after its downfall, now… God Forbid, but what if it happens in the Falklands…?

The current News of The Argentineans reviving ‘Malvinas’ issues (The Falklands Islands) is no good at all.

For what we saw of the last Falklands War in the Mid 80s that ends up with so many unnecessary lost of lives and injuries on both sides. Borrowing the Malay proverb which if translated sounds something like this “Winner (United Kingdom) became ‘Charcoal’ while the Loser (Argentina) became ‘Dust’.” Which literally means there is no gainer and no loser, because both sides “LOST”.

I followed the Falklands War very closely then because of my interest in military and I was then in the Marine Police.

On 2nd April 1982 The Argentineans invaded The Falklands Islands. After Bloody Battles and many lives lost, on the 12thy July 1982 the British Government announced a formal Cessation of Hostilities. The War was Codenamed Operation Corporate. Major General Jeremy Moore was the Land Forces Commander under The Commander, Task Force.

The Instruments of Surrender by the Argentineans and the British Forces was jointly signed and Major Gen Jeremy Moore signed on behalf of the British Forces in the War.

On the 5th November 1987 Lt General Sir Jeremy Moore visited the Federal Police Headquarters in Kuala Lumpur. I was then the Operations Officer in the Marine Branch there and waited for him outside the Director of Internal Security/Public Order’s office whom Gen Moore called on, when he comes out of the Director’s office with Commissioner Dato Zaman Khan, I approached Gen Sir Jeremy Moore and asked him to put his Signature on 4 photographs of himself in a Falklands War Book that I have and he obliged!

I attach herewith 2 of the Autographed pictures.
I will preserve that Book and Gen Moore’s signature forever.

Pray, that both sides of the Governments in Argentina and the United Kingdom use their Wisdom to the fullest and avert another unnecessary war in The Falklands or the Malvinas to the Argentineans.

QUO VADIS? As Bob Dylan said it.. “The answer my friend is blowing in the wind, the answer is blowing in the wind”.

DATO AHMAD TEJUDDIN (NMBVA)

Dato' Ahmad Tejuddin

THE NORTHERN IRELAND BRANCH APPOINTS A MALAYSIAN PATRON

Folowing a Branch meeting in January 2012, it was unanimously agreed to ask Senior Assistant Commissioner 1(retired)  Dato’ Haji Ahmad Tejuddin bin Haji Abdul Majeed to become Patron and he responded by graciously agreeing to accept the post.

Dato’ Ahmad Tejuddin has had a long career in the Polis DiRaja Malaysia starting as a probationary Inspector in 1970, serving in the Field Police on anti- terrorist operations, the Marine Police, Drugs and Narcotics enforcement, Finance, in fact a broad range of senior police roles throughout Malaysia before his retirement in 2006.

He has been honoured with the Malaysian title Dato’ which is similar to a British knighthood, a superb conclusion to a dedicated and honourable career of public service.  Throughout this time his wife Datin Latipah Saffar has given him great support.  They have three grown up children, Ahmad Zurial and two girls, Zuriada and Zurina.

The Course was jointly Organised by the Department of States, USA, Louisiana State University (LSU) and The LSPTA.

On 9th December 1996 the Mayor-President, City of Baton Rouge honoured me and few other my fellow as Honorary Mayor-President of The City of Baton Rouge, Parish of East Baton Rouge. Together with the Certificate of Appointment comes a replica ‘Key to the City’.

I feel deeply honoured with the Honorary Conferment. A once a life time thing which never crossed my mind would ever occur to me.

An Escort Officer Mr Ray White a retired US Diplomat who once served in the United Kingdom was with us from start to end of the Course. The LSPTA Head was Lt. Tommy Baker and was supported by a very efficient group of Staff. While the Training Wing was Headed by Mr. Tom Tucker and an efficient supporting Staff too.

The Course was Conducted by two very experienced figures who had been involved personally in many famous Hostage Situations in the USA. They were Mr George Bradford and Dr. Tom Strentz who wrote many Books on Hostage Negotiations and Terrorism.

If you remember the Movie THE NEGOTIATORS made in somewhere 1996 /1997, the Negotiations in the film was carried out exactly in the same manner conducted in the Course attended.

The Course was a gruelling 12 hours per day program. A test is conducted every 2 days to evaluate the rate of absorbency of the lectures given. At the end of the Course a Final Hostage Negotiations Exercise was conducted and Refereed by people from the Department of States, The LSU and LSPTA.

In that Exercise I had the honour being made the Chief Negotiator to Negotiate with The Hostage Takers.

Fully supported by some fellow colleagues and my own experience in Bilateral Exercises within and outside the Police Force back home and supported by experienced fellow participants helped run the whole thing smoothly till the end.

Coincidentally, if you all remember the Attack by the Peruvian Terrorist Group “TUPAC AMARU” who had on the 18th December 1996 staged an attack on the Japanese Ambassador’s Residence in Lima. The rebels held hostage with many Diplomats in the Embassadors residence. The reception was honoring the Birthday of Japan’s Emperor Akihito.

The Malaysian Embassador in Peru was among those held for many days. The Peruvian SWAT TEAM heads were then attending a similar Course conducted in Spanish Language next door to our class. The Tupac Amaru Rebels demanded the release of their leader held in Peruvian Prison.

The Peruvian officers were ordered to return home to Lima immediately the same night to address the Hostage situations in Lima.

In the last flood that hit my house, the Certificate was wet but I managed to salvage it. Will hang it high and dry this time!

Attached herewith is a copy of the Certificate mentioned. Some photos to recall the Course are here too.

The experience gained in this Training cover both the Academic, Human Relations and the never to be forgotten all round friendly atmosphere and sincerity of all those involved in making this Course a Success.

Thank you USA and thank you LSPTA and the Instructors.

DATO AHMAD TEJUDDIN (NMBVA)

[Show as slideshow]

Thank you for your efforts in updating the Website.

I am confident that your efforts will kindle the members to put on records the experience they went through during their tenure of service.

Be it of sad, enjoyable, funny, hurtful of eerie they should be told and recorded for the future. For we were there and saw it happen in front of our eyes!

I call upon every members to make every endeavour possible to contribute anything you think worth be telling. It is not necessarily be of success, as I have said above it is anything that is of any categories.

As the saying goes “A PHOTO TELLS A THOUSAND WORDS” as such all photos of historical importance should be published accompanied with explanatory notes to it.

October 1974 - Pulat in Ulu Kelantan

The note is erroneous. Not at the Mess but in a mess in a helicopter. Attached is a photo that I took in October 1974 in the S61 Nuri (Sea King) helicopter that was flying my Platoon No1 and Platoon No4 of ‘A’ Coy 11 PFF into location Pulat in Ulu Kelantan. Here waiting for us is The 16th Assault Unit of the 10th Regiment of Malayan Communist Party based in Southern Thailand.

It is also the route taken by the Regiment to send units south to Pahang and Perak area. Memories are partly made of photographs. Paid a pittance these boys simply drudge on without looking back. Leaving behind wives and children for months on end in the humid interior jungle. I was then the Platoon Commander of No. 1 Platoon.

Just imagine you are deep inside where a 105MM Howitzer with Maximum Charge won’t be able to help you should your Platoon being attacked by the Communist Terrorists!

A renown Military Strategist once said “WAR IS AN EXTENSION POLITICS BY OTHER MEANS”. Yes it is and the Soldiers are the Pawns of War.

To this day soldiers are dying in wars waged by the orders of the Political Masters who orders it under whatever excuses but it is still the soldiers that fought and die in it.

Once again thank you to the both of you Sir!

Thank you.
DATO AHMAD TEJUDDIN (NMBVA)

Zurina-Ahmad-Tejuddin

Zurina Ahmad Tejuddin the First Secretary of the Malaysian Embassy in Ireland, Dublin, was featured on Youtube undertaking a skydive in Ireland.
Zurina the attractive and charming daughter of Dato’ Ahmad Tejuddin has obviously inherited her father’s love of adventure.

We are indeed fortunate to have this plucky young lady as a friend of the local NMBVA.