True tales from an old soldier

KOTA KINABALU: His humble and soft-spoken appearance belies Brig General (Rtd) Datuk A. Arulpragasam’s illustrious past as a soldier.

The highly-decorated soldier is a pioneer in many ways when it comes to the Malaysian Armed Forces.

As a young man, Arulpragasam was handpicked to be among the 30 cadets from a few hundred youth to become part of the first multiracial force of the Malayan Federation’s Armed Forces in 1952.

The platoon was put together by former Field Marshal General Tun Sir Gerald Templer, who was also the then Malayan High Commissioner, who initially wanted to pick 12 youth of various races and religions to form the so-called “Templer’s Supermen” platoon.

Arulpragasam, now in his 90s, was called back two weeks later to be part of the multiracial platoon that was to complement the Royal Malay Regiment in tackling the communist insurgency.

Initially trained for six months at the pre-Officer Cadet Training Unit in Port Dickson, Arulpragasam and the new recruits were sent for another six months to Eaton College in England.

Returning as second lieutenant in 1955, Arulpragasam was first posted to the multiracial 1st Battalion of the Federation Regiment in Taiping and thus began his intensive training on jungle warfare.

After serving in various commands across the country, he was hand-picked again to establish the Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College (MAFSC) and given a free hand to select 12 instructors of his choice in 1972.

These and other fascinating stories were compiled in his Memoirs of Brigadier General Datuk A. Arulpragasam – 1st Commandant Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College, which was launched together with his close friends and other veterans recently at a hotel here.

Apart from his life as a soldier of the first multiracial force, the ex-serviceman has included glimpses of his childhood in Penang and his life as a civilian.

“This book is not a record of historical events by any means. I have written it as I recalled events from the past, not an easy task for a 94-year-old man,” he said, adding that he never thought his story would interest anyone.

However, he decided to write his memoirs when he was invited to speak at the “retreat” (closing of college) of Malaysian Armed Forces Staff College from its original site Haigate in Kuala Lumpur to its new premises in Putrajaya.

“I was pleasantly surprised by the keen interest by the officers and college students at the event,” he said, adding that was when he decided on writing his memoirs and believed that Malaysians would like to know what the multiracial army looked like in its emerging years.

With encouragement from his son, and a friend Lt Col (Rtd) DS Ananthan who helped edit the book, his memoirs became a reality.

Arulpragasam, whose last posting was as commander of the Fifth Infantry Brigade at Lok Kawi in Sabah, took early retirement at the age of 50.

He joined and spent the next 33 years in the private sector in Sabah. He was also active in the Malaysian International Chamber of Commerce and Industry’s Sabah branch.

“Life in the military, as in all other organisations, had its ups and downs. However, reflecting on how it turned out, I must say the army played a great role in shaping my character and outlook in life, without which I could not have achieved all that I did in my civilian life.

“I thoroughly enjoyed my time serving the nation together with my brothers from all ethnic groups in Malaysia. The camaraderie and love for each other is something I cherish till now,” he said in the preface of his memoirs.