KUCHING, May 19: Revive the Sarawak Rangers by recruiting retired military personnel to protect the region’s borders.
Baleh assemblyman Nicholas Kudi Jantai said reviving the para-military force would also help improve existing security and stop crimes such as human trafficking activities, smuggling, and illegal immigrants into Sarawak.
“Border security and trade issues need to be addressed seriously to prevent illegal financial outflow,” he said during today’s debate session at Sarawak Legislative Assembly (DUN).
On March 17 2019, the late Tan Sri Dr James Jemut Masing, who was the Deputy Chief Minister, told New Sarawak Tribune that Sarawak Rangers are the original defenders of Sarawak and its revival “will surely benefit the state’.
“Sarawak should have its own brave and courageous soldiers to defend its borders,” he said.
Sarawak Rangers was founded in 1862 and first commanded by William Henry Rodway from 1862 until 1870 and the second time in 1872 until his retirement in 1881.
The forces were highly skilled in jungle warfare and general policing duties, equipped with various Western rifles, cannons, and native weaponry.
It was disbanded for a few years until 1932, only to be reformed as Sarawak Constabulary and mobilised for the Second World War, in which they attempted to defend Sarawak from the Japanese invasion in 1942 at the start of the Pacific War. — DayakDaily
