KUALA TERENGGANU: He was shot 11 times in a hail of bullets fired by communist terrorists during an ambush on his convoy more than four decades ago.
But retired police sergeant Bahari Ismail, 67, survived the ordeal and related the episode of the tragic day in the deep jungles of Teluk Intan, Perak, in December 1976.
Four of the bullet slugs are still lodged in his body — one in his right elbow, one in his back and two in his left calf.
More miraculously, two of the bullets went through his genitals — one passed through his penis and the other penetrated his testicles.
Bahari coyly said his manhood functioned perfectly following medical treatment.
“Surgeons successfully removed the other five slugs from my body. I spent a month recuperating at Kuala Lumpur Hospital.
“I did not think I would pull through, but I did. Doctors advised me against removing the remaining four slugs left in my body as it may endanger my health,” said Bahari at an East Coast Zone reunion dinner of Squad 69 of the Royal Malaysian Police at Wisma Darul Iman here.
The reunion, held in conjunction with Malaysia Day, was attended by State Legislative Assembly Speaker Datuk Mohd Zubir Embong.
The members comprised retired policemen who were roped into the Police Field Force (now General Operations Force) between June and December 1969, just after the May 13 racial riots that year.
Bahari, who is Royal Malaysian Police Squad 69 Ex-servicemen’s Welfare Association secretary, was also grateful for his wife, Rohaimah Md Daud, who nursed him while he was recuperating.
“She spent a great deal of time taking care of me, despite also having to care for four sons and a daughter.
“I was the sole breadwinner for the family back then,” he said.
Recounting the harrowing moment during the ambush 41 years ago, Bahari said that he was in the lead communications vehicle, a Land Rover, with four others.
“We were passing through a ridge in a convoy of 15 vehicles, when, suddenly, about 40 communist terrorists, perched atop a hill, started firing at us.
“The enemies wanted to disable our high-frequency communication equipment so that we could not call for reinforcements.
“Fortunately, the accompanying armoured personnel carriers provided anti-enemy gunfire. They warded off the attack, which lasted for about half an hour, allowing us to escape,” said Bahari.
He added that after the assault, he discovered himself bloodied all over his numbed body.
“I remember attempting to pull out some of the bullet slugs out of my body. It was horrifying and I was trembling, thinking I would die.
“My colleagues gave me first-aid treatment and brought me to the nearest district hospital before I was transferred to Kuala Lumpur Hospital,” said Bahari, adding that some of his other colleagues also sustained gunshot wounds, but not as severe as him.
The episode did not dent Bahari’s enthusiasm in serving the force as he returned to active duty after being discharged from hospital.
“The fire to serve was still burning in me. I was posted to the heavily communist infested ‘black area’ of Kroh (now Pengkalan Hulu) near the Malaysia-Thai border for a year, before being transferred to the central brigade headquarters in Cheras, Kuala Lumpur.
“I worked for a good number of years there before my compulsory retirement upon reaching the age of 55,” said Bahari, who was born in Sabak Bernam, Selangor.
Bahari, who now lives in Selayang, Selangor, said he joined the force following the retirement of his policeman father, Ismail Ibrahim, in 1968. Bahari’s father was also a sergeant.
“My late father often reminded me of the responsibility to serve the nation and defend it against communist terrorists who were threatening the country’s sovereignty.
“He drummed into me not to take peace, stability and Independence for granted. He also spoke on the sacrifices of servicemen during the trying times and taught me to appreciate their deeds.
“I did likewise to my five children and 12 grandchildren.”
Meanwhile, association president Datuk Abdul Aziz Bakar, a retired superintendent, said 5,700 officers were recruited into Squad 69, of which 395 were killed in action and 919 were injured.
Many of them, like retired Superintendent Paul Kiong, were awarded medals of valour, including the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa and Panglima Gagah Berani.
He said the association was formed on June 11, 2007, to serve the retired officers’ needs.
“In the past ten years, we secured 346 wheelchairs worth RM103,800 for disabled members.
“Additionally, we have disbursed RM270,000 to the families of 270 members who have died.
“Various other assistance, like group insurance and aid from the Police Heritage Trust Fund and Police Veterans Affairs Department, were initiated for the benefit of our members,” said Aziz.