THE passing of Tan Sri Yuen Yuet Leng yesterday is a great loss to Malaysia. A true-blue Malaysian and a patriot, the late Yuen has contributed immensely to the peace of our beloved nation.
His sacrifices in defending the sovereignty of our country during the first and second Emergencies are immeasurable. He had fought, and won, the war against the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM) and survived alongside other patriots during his time.
I remember in 1972, when I was first posted as a rookie Special Branch officer to serve in Betong, South Thailand, under the auspices of the Regional Border Committee Office, during our fight against the CPM.
I met Yuen during his visit to the border at Kroh (now Pengkalan Hulu) in Hulu Perak. He was then the deputy director of Special Branch.
The brief but meaningful meeting will be forever etched in my memory. At this meeting he asked me about one area in Betong, to which I could not reply. I told him that I was still new to the area.
He cautioned me: “Young man, it is no excuse. As an intelligence procurement officer, to fight the enemy, you must know the terrain like the back of your palm!”
This advice spurred me to learn more about intelligence procurement as a Special Branch officer.
Our country has lost a great police officer, who dedicated his life to ensure the peace that we enjoy today.
Our deepest condolences to Puan Sri Chan Choy May and family members. May God bless his soul.
n DATUK WEE BENG GEE,Member, Board of Trustees,Yayasan Pengaman Malaysia