Heroes of 1962 remembered

Four heroic police personnel, namely Sarjan 20 Pg Ali bin Pg Ghani, Private 179 Selasa bin Othman, Private 465 Mohammad bin Hj Tahir and Private 175 Chien Tong Seng, had sacrificed their lives in upholding the sovereignty and peace of Brunei Darussalam, during an abortive bloody uprising in the country, December 1962 by the defunct 'Parti Rakyat Brunei' and 'Tentera Nasional Kalimantan'.

In commemoration of the heroes of the 1962 insurrection, a Recital of Surah Yaasin, Tahlil and Doa Arwah Ceremony was held at the Rangas Cemetery in Bandar Seri Begawan.

The Commissioner of Royal Brunei Police Force, Dato Paduka Seri Haji Abdul Rahman bin Haji Johan attended the ceremony, along with Police Directors, Supervisors, and Commanding officers as well as family members of the deceased.

After the recital, the Police Commissioner proceeded to pour 'Air Asah-asahan' (scented water) over the graves, led by the widows and children of the deceased.

On December 8, 1962 there was an uprising in the Sultanate of Brunei, where a rebellion group led by the late Azahari attacked the Sultan's Palace and other government establishments, including those operated by other European nations. The rebels took many hostages and in the process also seized the Shell oil fields in Seria.

Private 179 Selasa and Private 465 Mohammad gave their lives when they tried to fend off the rebels during a siege at the Sengkurong police station. Sarjan 20 Pg Ali and Private 175 Chien Tong Seng lost their lives in a battle to safeguard the Temburong police station. Their gallant acts, which have been recorded in the Brunei history books have been regarded as heroic deeds.

Awg Yaakub bin Selasa, son of the late Private 179 Selasa bin Othman mentioned that the December 8 incident still haunts him every night. He was around 4 years old at the time and everyone was placed under curfew in effect of the Emergency Act. Awg Yaakub could even recall hearing gunshots and his father's voice screaming for help during the night-attack on the Sengkurong Police Station.

Blood had spilled all over the police corridor by the following morning, and all the injured policemen were taken directly to the hospital. Sadly, the news of his father's demise came late and Awg Yaakub didn't even have the chance to catch a last glimpse of the body, as no transportation was available at that time.

Previously, the Royal Brunei Police Force also held the same ceremony for Sarjan 20 Pg Ali bin Pg Ghani at the Semamang Islamic Cemetery, Temburong, January 17, 2003 and for Private 465 Mohammad bin Hj Tahir at the Rangas Islamic Cemetery, last year.

A commemorative ceremony will also be held next year for Private 175 Chien Tong Seng.