Former Commando Veteran Calls for Unity and Peace on Malaysia Day

In an interview marking Malaysia Day, former 69 Commando sergeant major Zol’aini Sabar recounted the July 2, 2000 Bukit Jenalik tragedy, when the Al-Maunah militants stole firearms from the Territorial Army Regiment Camp in Gerik and sought to overthrow the government. He described Operation Subuh, led by former commander Datuk Abdul Razak Mohd Yusoff, which aimed to capture all 27 militants alive despite difficult terrain and the presence of former security officers like Zahit Muslim among the rebels.

The operation resulted in the deaths of Detective Corporal R Sanghadevan and Grup Gerak Khas commando Trooper Mathew Medan. Emphasizing that true strength lies in wisdom, tolerance and preserving lives, Zol’aini urged all Malaysians, regardless of race, to maintain unity against radical ideologies and external destabilisation. He called on younger generations to understand that Malaysia’s stability was built on sacrifice and harmony, and to defend the nation’s sovereignty for the future.