Setapak lad saluted for being first Chinese commando in decades

PETALING JAYA: When news broke of Leftenan Muda Chan Ming Youn qualifying for one of the world’s toughest military units, many Malaysians took to social media to congratulate the first Malaysian Chinese to pass out as a commando in decades.

He earned his green beret to join one of the world’s toughest military units – Gerup Gerak Khas (GGK) or Special Service Group.

On Facebook, veteran Mohamed Khamis said he hoped many more would join military service: “I served in the army before I retired in the late 90s. I was under the leadership of a few bosses including a Chinese 1-star General, an Indian full Colonel and a Malay 1-star General.

“Being in the Service, we never care what race our colleagues or bosses are. They are our brothers and sisters. Our lives depend on the persons next to us – our buddies.”

In his reply to the veteran, an inspired D. J Phua said while he cannot guarantee his son would join the Malaysian army, he will encourage him to enlist in the territorial army (Askar Wataniah) first.

This prompted a delighted response from Mohamed: “Good choice. Try Askar Wataniah first. Get some basic soldiering – discipline, comradeship, survival, principles of war, weapon handling, self-defence. The Service will toughen him physically and mentally but the experience will make him a better person in any field.”

Theebhan Chandrasegaran said Chan had ‘warrior blood’, while Sabariah Mahmud voiced her hope that many more Malaysians would follow in his footsteps.

Lin Yee also offered her congratulations, adding that the Anak Malaysia exuded the aura of an ‘Oppa’ (a term colloquially used to refer to Korean male heartthrobs): “Good package. Tall, handsome and brave. May all our commandos be blessed and protected by Him.”

Pearl Long thanked Chan for his grit and tenacity: “Thank you for putting our nation above yourself. Thank you for serving the nation.”

Badiuzzaman Mohamed also took the chance to share a heartwarming anecdote related to another Chinese serviceman he knew in his youth: “During the 1969 May riots I recall in my late primary school years in Ipoh, our Chinese neighbour’s son who was a newly commissioned young lieutenant led a group of Rangers to secure our village.

“Both of his parents were civil servants but they chose to live in our village. The family had always been actively engaged with village life among others offering free tuition in English and Maths. I was one of the beneficiaries of their kind-heartedness,” he added.