I REFER to Johan Jaafar's account of decorated soldier Kanang anak Langkau ("For Hero Kanang, the datukship can wait" -- NST, Aug 16).

In our society where a datukship is a much sought-after status symbol, no one will ever turn down such an offer. Kanang, like most Iban soldiers that I had known, was too straightforward, honest and humble.

In the old days, bravery was the highest form of virtue in a man. Today, many still hold on to this belief.

I would like to relate my encounters with two Iban soldiers back in the 1970s and 1980s.

Corporal Likau and Corporal Kaya were soldiers of the Sarawak Rangers before it was disbanded on Sept 15, 1963, a day before Malaysia was formed. On Sept 16, 1963, the 1st Malaysian Rangers was formed with 100 former soldiers of the Sarawak Rangers volunteering to join the new unit to form its nucleus. As the Rangers Regiment expanded to more battalions, these old soldiers were sent to the new battalions to impart their skills and enthusiasm.
When I joined 3rd Rangers in 1969, I met Likau in an outpost on the Sarawak-Kalimantan border. I sent him on a number of patrols in the jungle. I noticed that he never carried a map or a compass, which were a must for such a mission, otherwise you could get lost.

"Kalau saya guna peta dan compass saya sesat tuan!" ("If I use a map and compass I will get lost, sir!"), he replied.

I met Kaya in the 10th Rangers in the mid-80s in Bau, Sarawak. He was on the verge of retirement. He had been a dedicated and a hard-working soldier.

I offered to promote him to the next higher rank but he declined. He said he was not qualified as he couldn't read and write and the promotion would only make matters worse for him.

I was and still am spellbound by the pure honesty of these Iban soldiers. But when they were in the jungle, they were totally different men -- very serious with their job. I would rather have 10 such men instead of 30 soldiers. They become the hunters for whom the word "retreat" does not exist.

It was these traits that had made them the choice of the Brookes during their 100-year rule of Sarawak. They were also immensely successful and popular during the First and the Second Emergency in Malaya. Similarly, they played an important role in eliminating the communist threat in Sarawak in the 1970s and 1980s.

Are there any more Kanangs, Kayas and Likaus in the Malaysian Rangers? Perhaps there are. What I'm sure about is that this breed of soldier is disappearing. They will totally disappear if the army does not do enough to attract the Iban into joining the army, the Malaysian Rangers in particular.

Iban soldiers were synonymous with bravery, tracking skills and prowess on the battlefield. The British Army acknowledged this and made Sarawak Rangers part of the British Army when it became Sarawak Rangers (Far East Land Forces).

The Malaysian Army must ensure that a good number of Iban soldiers are maintained in every Ranger battalion in order to keep this heritage alive. It is something that all Malaysians, not just Sarawakians, should be proud of and try to keep alive for future generations.