Masing visits Kanang's unattended grave

KUCHING, Nov 6, 2014:  Land Development Minister James Masing visited the grave of the nation's most decorated war hero Kanang Langkau at the Heroes War Memorial at Reservoir Road here today.

The visit follows a complaint by Kanang's soldier son Cpl Langgi that his father's grave was left unattended, despite a promise being made by Deputy Chief Minister Alfred Jabu Numpang that the government would give the late hero a proper respect that he deserved.

 

Picture: James Masing paying his last respects at the grave of the late War Hero Kanang Langkau. 

It is believed that Masing, who is also Parti Rakyat Sarawak (PRS) president, was upset when he saw the grave left unattended, implying that there was no proper respect being accorded to Kanang.

Kanang died about two years of heart attack.

He was accorded a full military honours at the burial site.

Today, his grave remains shambolic.

He was buried here along with the remains of 21 brave Iban trackers and Sarawak Rangers who died while fighting the communists during the Malayan Insurgency in the 1950s.

The late Deputy Supt of Police Michael Padel, who was shot dead by a group of armed Filipino men in Sandakan two years ago, was also buried at the War Memorial.

Kanang was awarded the Pingat Gagah Berani (PGB) and Sri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) recipient for his courage and bravery in fighting the communists during the Malayan Emergency.

In an operation in the Korbu Forest Reserve at Fort Legap on June 1, 1979 while on a mission tracking the enemy, Kanang's group came across a temporary enemy resting camp.

Kanang from the 8th Battalion Royal Rangers immediately launched an attack on that enemy camp, an enemy that far outnumbered his group.

In this fierce contact with the enemies, two of the Rangers went down, mortally wounded. Five of the enemies were killed, enemies equipment too were captured. For this courage, he was conferred the highest gallantry award, the "Pingat Gagah Berani" by his Majesty the King.

In an another incident in Tanah Hitam, Perak on Feb 8, 1980 a soldier was killed.

Kanang leading a platoon was sent to track the enemies down and destroy them. For eleven days they tracked the enemies until they stumbled upon a much larger group at Ladang Kinding, Sungei Siput, Perak.

On the evening of Feb 8, 1980 at around 1500 hours in the afternoon,  Kanang and his platoon killed five communist terrorists in a fierce battle.

While trying to rescue his wounded friends,  Kanang himself was repeatedly shot. He was in comma for two months in hospital but recuperated and was back on active duty. His fellow Ibans say Kanang died but came alive again.