Back in 2009 I penned:
... the two men who virtually crippled the Malayan Communist Party and silently won the war for Malaya-Malaysia against the insurgency were two police officers, Paul Kiong and Sia Boon Chee.
You can read more of them in my February 2018 post Not all CT were Chinese, not all heroes were Malays in which I had also written (extracts):
... archetypal Malay belief is that communist terrorists (CT) were Chinese and victims were Malays. In my post listed above, you will discover the many Chinese heroes of Malaya-Malaysia.That post of mine rebutted the somewhat racist accusations of A Kadir Yassin, formerly a big timer in the NST group and one of Mahathir's staunchest supporter and at times mouthpiece. Despite his literary and journalistic knowledge and memories he painted Chinese Malaysians as reluctant to serve in the police or military.
Without exaggeration, I would consider these two officers’ contributions (presumably still under secret classification) as pivotal to the defeat of the communist terrorist movement in Peninsula Malaysia.
We have been informed of his sad demise by Malaysiakini's IGP extends condolences to family of former narcotics deputy chief.
Sia, 65, passed away at the Cardiothorasic Intensive Cardiac Unit of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital in KL following a stroke.
NOT at the battle front,--writ of in story;
Not on the blazing wreck steering to glory;
Not while in martyr-pangs soul and flesh sever,
Died he--this Hero new; hero forever.
No pomp poetic crowned, no forms enchained him,
No friends applauding watched, no foes arraigned him:
Death found him there, without grandeur or beauty,
Only an honest man doing his duty:
Just a God-fearing man, simple and lowly,
Constant at kirk and hearth, kindly as holy:
Death found--and touched him with finger in flying:--
Lo! he rose up complete--hero undying.
Now, all men mourn for him, lovingly raise him
Up from his life obscure, chronicle, praise him;
Tell his last act, done midst peril appalling,
And the last word of cheer from his lips falling;
Follow in multitudes to his grave's portal;
Leave him there, buried in honor immortal.
So many a Hero walks unseen beside us,
Till comes the supreme stroke sent to divide us.
Rest in Peace, Sia Boon Chee, you have done more than your duty to your country and fellow citizens.
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Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa Nation's highest award for gallantry |
... the two men who virtually crippled the Malayan Communist Party and silently won the war for Malaya-Malaysia against the insurgency were two police officers, Paul Kiong and Sia Boon Chee.
Both were awarded Malaysia’s highest bravery award, the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) in 1983, but they weren’t generals. Kiong eventually reached the rank SP (roughly equivalent to the military Colonel) whilst Sia retired as a DSP (= Lt Colonel).
... archetypal Malay belief is that communist terrorists (CT) were Chinese and victims were Malays. In my post listed above, you will discover the many Chinese heroes of Malaya-Malaysia.That post of mine rebutted the somewhat racist accusations of A Kadir Yassin, formerly a big timer in the NST group and one of Mahathir's staunchest supporter and at times mouthpiece. Despite his literary and journalistic knowledge and memories he painted Chinese Malaysians as reluctant to serve in the police or military.
The truth has been the military and police until very recently but since 1981, did not want Chinese in its midst, as has been highlighted by veteran organisations recently.
As I've often written, Malaysia's war against the CT could and would NOT have been won without the sterling and daring role of the police special branch (SB).
As I've often written, Malaysia's war against the CT could and would NOT have been won without the sterling and daring role of the police special branch (SB).
It should also be noted that two Special Branch police officers who are still alive today were awarded the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP), namely SP Paul Kiong and DSP Sia Boon Chee.
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Superintendent of Police Paul Kiong, SP |
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Deputy Superintendent of Police Sia Boon Chee, SP |
However, I am very sad to now say one of these two Malaysian heroes has left us for a "better" place. he is Sia Boon Chee, awarded by HM Majesty the Agong with Malaysia's HIGHEST bravery award, the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP).
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SP - awarded for act of extreme bravery and valor Nation's highest award for gallantry |
Sia, 65, passed away at the Cardiothorasic Intensive Cardiac Unit of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital in KL following a stroke.
Not on the blazing wreck steering to glory;
Not while in martyr-pangs soul and flesh sever,
Died he--this Hero new; hero forever.
No pomp poetic crowned, no forms enchained him,
No friends applauding watched, no foes arraigned him:
Death found him there, without grandeur or beauty,
Only an honest man doing his duty:
Just a God-fearing man, simple and lowly,
Constant at kirk and hearth, kindly as holy:
Death found--and touched him with finger in flying:--
Lo! he rose up complete--hero undying.
Now, all men mourn for him, lovingly raise him
Up from his life obscure, chronicle, praise him;
Tell his last act, done midst peril appalling,
And the last word of cheer from his lips falling;
Follow in multitudes to his grave's portal;
Leave him there, buried in honor immortal.
So many a Hero walks unseen beside us,
Till comes the supreme stroke sent to divide us.
- extracts of a poem by Dinah Maria Mulok Craik
Rest in Peace, Sia Boon Chee, you have done more than your duty to your country and fellow citizens.