A HIGHLY-CODED message dispatched to him during the height of the communist insurgency in the deep jungles of Perak changed the life of a man overnight.
Sixty-four years ago in 1950, Royal Malay Regiment sergeant “Alan” Abdul Manan Abas, leading a reconnaissance platoon in Hulu Grik, had to hurriedly make his way to the 12th brigade headquarters in Seremban.
Manan, who turned 90 on Nov 1, said he and best friend “Robert” Shukor Chik frantically crossed seven rapids in heavily infested enemy territory to reach the British Commonwealth’s command.
Upon their arrival three days after receiving the message, they were sent to London as Malaya’s first cadets at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
“I vividly recall the anxiety I had upon receiving a message to expeditiously make my way there. It was only then that I learnt of my selection to Sandhurst after visiting Field Marshal Sir William Slim, who interviewed me and Shukor. We left for England immediately,” said Manan, who retired as a major in 1969.
Manan’s flight to England made several stops, including in Egypt, where they were quarantined.
“We were fortunate to be among two from a group of 12 to be selected. Though inspired and excited, we were anxious, not knowing what to expect on our first overseas trip.
“Initially, Shukor and I felt homesick and contemplated quitting, as there were no other Malaysians to advise and guide us during the early hectic and chaotic times.
“But thanks to the hospitality of the seasoned instructors who exuded confidence and authority, we overcame the jitters — not to mention the harsh winter — and got acclimatised quickly.
“There was absolutely no discrimination and we were treated as equals along our British counterparts, demonstrating our competence,” said Manan.
He added that his proudest and most unforgettable moment was marching up the steps at the Sovereign’s Parade: “I believe this feeling can never be described unless one has been there and done it. The joy on our faces was a sight to behold. We were finally officers and gentlemen after the long journey of quality training at the oldest military academy in the world.”
Manan said Sandhurst instilled in them the discipline, determination and courage needed to prepare them to face the challenges ahead.
“Many of us had nicknames, like Jack, Jeff, Muzie, Harry, Ramzie, John, Russ, Eddie, Ben and even Johnny, for simplified identification with our British instructors,” he said.
In 1954, as a young lieutenant, Manan commanded a reconnaissance platoon that eliminated a communist terrorist branch in Sempalit near Raub, Pahang, leading to the death and capture of several of them. It earned him a Military Cross for heroism.
Shukor was later killed serving as a captain during an ambush by communist terrorists in Manchis, Pahang, at the age of 35 in 1956.
Manan will relive his tales with 200-odd Sandhurst graduates during a grand reunion dinner at the Defence Ministry’s Officers’ Mess on Nov 19.
The occasion will be steeped in traditional British ambience and military tradition. A typical British menu will be served, accompanied by regimental tunes.
Reunion organising chairman Gen (Rtd) Tan Sri “Jack” Yaacob Mohd Zain said: “The inability to stay connected has taken us 15 years to organise a second reunion, as most of us are either preoccupied, have been away or just too old. Some have died, while others have taken ill. Their widows are representing them now,” he said.
Yaacob said the reunion would rekindle camaraderie and allow them to reflect on what they had gone through in life.
He said the alumni greatly appreciated many personalities, like Margaret Jones, a secretary with the British Foreign Office.
“She was a remarkable woman who helped place us among foster families during our two-month summer break, without which we would not have survived with our nominal allowances. She made us feel very much at home,” said Yaacob.
Margaret, now frail in her late nineties, was invited here for the first alumni reunion in 1999 to commemorate the 50th golden anniversary of the first Malaysian Sandhurst cadet.
“As the staff car ferrying Margaret around did not have air conditioning then, the driver was advised to keep her comfortably cool in the hot Malaysian weather.
“Being a soldier, he used his initiative to put a block of ice in the boot — only for it to melt and wet Margaret’s seat!” said Yaacob, who had served as Army and Armed Forces chief.
Retiring Army Inspector-General, Major General Datuk Zulkiflee Mazlan, 60, and Brigadier General (Rtd) Datuk Mazlan Yunus scored a rare distinction as the only father-and-son alumni. Zulkiflee attended Sandhurst in 1974, while his father was there in 1952.
“Though he encouraged me to follow in his footsteps, I never dreamt of outranking him later in service,” said Zulkiflee.
Former Armed Forces Veterans Affairs director-general Major General (Rtd) Datuk Mohd Amin Mohd Salleh paid tribute to people like Academy Sergeant Major J.C. “Jack” Lord of the Grenadier Guards.
“Lord, a World War 2 prisoner in Italy, was the longest serving sergeant major for 15 years and exemplified courage and conduct of the highest standards,” said Amin.
Colonel Johnny Lim Eng Seng, one of the 43 alumni still serving, said Sandhurst developed leadership by expanding one’s character, intellect and professional competency.
“I am honoured to be part of the select group, many of whom had an illustrious military career,” said Lim, 48, who authored The Malaysian Wish Stream; An Illustrated History of Malaysian Cadets at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst.
The Sandhurst alumni includes two former kings — the Raja of Perlis Tuanku Syed Sirajuddin Syed Putra Jamalullail and Sultan of Terengganu Tuanku Mizan Zainal Abdidin — and the Tengku Mahkota of Pahang Tengku Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah.
To date, 310 Malaysians have graduated from Sandhurst, with 206 still living.