KUCHING, March 17: Sarawak Patriot Association (SPA) strongly supports the reactivation of Sarawak Rangers to perform ceremonial duties at official residences, offices and places of interest.
SPA opined that if materialise, the members would be provided with uniforms that reflect their illustrious past, which will add colour and dignity to the state.
Recapping the origin of Sarawak Rangers, the association said they were a paramilitary founded in 1862 by Charles Anthony Brooke, the 2nd Rajah of Sarawak. It was disbanded in 1963 following the formation of Malaysia, and its members joined the Royal Rangers Regiment.
SPA reckoned there was also a need for the Sarawak Rangers to help the army protect the state’s 1,500km border with Brunei and Kalimantan, Indonesia.
“Its members may be drawn from the current Royal Rangers Regiment. Sarawakians know their borders very well, and to defend Sarawak, I believe Sarawakians know it better,” SPA said in a statement today.
The association believed that Sarawak had the expertise to train the Sarawak Rangers because many Sarawakians had military training.
“We may request the Royal Rangers Regiment to form a unit called the Sarawak Rangers and to be headed by competent Sarawakian and to report to the Governor, Chief Minister of Sarawak and the Minister of Defence.
“So, we need to enact legislation to empower Sarawak to do this with financial support as we have the competent manpower to do.”
SPA also called on the private sector to assist in the rebirth of the Sarawak Rangers and to make it a reality through their corporate social responsibility contributions.
“However, Sarawak will be in a better position to revive the Sarawak Rangers after the amendment of the Federal Constitution’s Article 1(2), Article 46 and Article 160, where Sabah and Sarawak are treated as equal partners with Peninsular Malaysia.
“Thus, whatever Peninsular Malaysia has, Sabah and Sarawak are entitled to have them.” — DayakDaily
