LETTERS: I read with interest the article entitled Last Salute to a General, published on Sept 24. This letter was initiated after 31 armed forces veterans read the article highlighting the late Major-General (Rtd) Datuk Mahmood Sulaiman's achievements.
Yes, it is true we fought the good fight during those difficult days of communist terrorism and enemy infiltration from neighbouring countries to safeguard Malaysians from danger.
We were fortunate to have caring, skillful and brave leaders and the late Mahmood was certainly one of them.
This prompted my colleagues and I to submit another letter in addition to the previous one written by Major (Rtd) Mustapha Ali to show our appreciation for his leadership.
I had the opportunity to serve under Mahmood as the forward air commander at the Divisional Tactical Headquarters during the Joint/Combined Operations Daoyai Musnah in 1977 at the Malaysia/Thai border.
He was a highly professional commander who utilised the Air Force fighter and helicopter assets and ensured the entire operation was a huge success. My former colleagues and I would like to pay homage to him.
Lieutenant-Colonel Raymond Goh Boon Pah from the Royal Engineer Regiment said: "I remember Mahmood very well. He was my Logistics Staff chief in the Defence Ministry in 1970. I was his staff officer handling project development of all armed forces construction projects.
He walked the talk by being the man on the ground."He was a great general and a kind gentleman. We all missed him very much when he retired.
I believe he would have made a great Panglima Angkatan Tentera."For Colonel Ghazali Alias: "I remember him as one whom I looked up to with awe when I first met him during my interview for admission into the Cadet Wing of the Royal Military College.
His unassuming personality has remained in my mind till today."My second meeting with him was during a gathering of Defence Services Staff Colleges Alumni at his home which he hosted after his retirement. It confirmed my impression of him as a fine example of a military man — truly an officer and a gentleman."
Major A.R. Ramachandran Iyer of Royal Artillery Regiment commented: "During Op Cahaya Bena, he stood in the armoured personnel carrier and gave a salute to us as we crossed the border to Betong, Thailand for the combined operations with the Royal Thai Army.
"He always made quick decisions in deploying our troops, gaining tremendous respect from the Thais. He also spoke with ministers and the press so well that they were in awe of him. I saw in Mahmood a fine commander in action."
Lieutenant-Colonel (Rtd) Hamzah Bachek from the Royal Artillery Regiment said: "It was a pleasure to witness his convincing deliberations with the Thai top brass to launch both operations in Thai territory. I was then a staff officer at Regional Border Committee Organisation, Songkhla, Thailand."
Major-General (Rtd) Datuk Abdul Wahid Anwar said: "The tribute to Mahmood was a fitting reminder of the contributions made by the armed forces towards safeguarding our national security."
Lastly, Lieutenant-Colonel (Rtd) Datuk Nawawi Mat Desa, Royal Malay Regiment has this to say: "Thank you for the write-up on Mahmood as it indirectly enlightens the readers on the sacrifices made by the armed forces."
I, too, must say that the article has stirred much nostalgia and spirit of patriotism among my former colleagues in the armed forces and I.
Datuk Nawi Alias
Lieutenant-General (Rtd) Royal Malaysian Armed Forces
The views expressed in this article are the author's own and do not necessarily reflect those of the New Straits Times