SAF legends and stories

[Narong Wongwan]

If my memory serves me well, I believe that since 1 SMC (Dec 1974), the SAF had several commissioned Malay infantry NSF officers, and the SAF experimented with "Malay platoons." The continued to have Malay platoons in the infantry battalions till the early 1980's, because at SATO, the troops they sent to me, for a company exercise, were from a Malay platoon from 3SIR or 4SIR.

One of my schoolmates was commissioned from 3SMC, and he was the platoon commander / leader for a Malay platoon at 2SIR.

were those regulars? The only Malays I seen in the army back then were all regulars. My encik was old timer Malay who fought in the confrontation but he enlisted during British time.
I know there was a strict no malay enlistment policy during the 70s. Even when this unwritten rule was eased Malay families with only one male offspring were spared and not enlisted.

 

[Charlie99]

were those regulars? The only Malays I seen in the army back then were all regulars. My encik was old timer Malay who fought in the confrontation but he enlisted during British time.
I know there was a strict no malay enlistment policy during the 70s. Even when this unwritten rule was eased Malay families with only one male offspring were spared and not enlisted.

The "Malay platoons" in the SAF from about 1975 to 1981 (may be even after that) were NSF.
I enjoyed my "brief command" of the Malay platoons during exercise(s) when I was at SATO.
With respect, they are very good soldiers, and if at that time, I was mobilized, I will not hesitate to have Malay platoons or several Malay platoons fighting with me.

 

[greedy and cunning]

I know there was a strict no malay enlistment policy during the 70s. Even when this unwritten rule was eased Malay families with only one male offspring were spared and not enlisted.

because of this many young malays cannot find jobs during that period. the boss don't want to hire anyone who has not
done NS.
many young malays were angry with the Great Leeder , had to go to malaysia to work.

btw , this tiger hong was a gangster who joined the army to avoid being beat up be the rivals.
during the early period many gangsters joined army for safety reason.

 

[sleaguepunter]

the only malays i encountered during NSF was in BMTC camp 3 in tekong. whole platoon only one malay, he in my platoon because my PS was also a malay so this malay recruit switch platoon from a chinese PS platoon before we board the RPL at commando jetty. nice guy and later posted to 3SIR as rifleman and was selected for the GOH contingent in 1997 as 3SIR was the best unit after 1st commando was disqualifed that year.
i did encounter them in the field, very garang as the malay sgt "assaulted" our positions as we were on slope overlooking the axis on a delay mission. he must have thought we to his "enemy" as he led his section in assault. we could have wipe them out even though there only 4 of us as we had a gpmg with us. but then we hold fire and look on as he and his men charged up.

 

[Narong Wongwan]

btw , this tiger hong was a gangster who joined the army to avoid being beat up be the rivals.
during the early period many gangsters joined army for safety reason.

Yes back then many samsengs join army for protection.
Was told many had their slate wiped clean for fresh start.
SAF 11B used to be very power just flash during spot check police will not disturb.
Commandos especially were given special status by Goh Keng Swee as elites....always get into fights also bo taichee not investigated by police.

 

[crackhead]

Yes back then many samsengs join army for protection.
Was told many had their slate wiped clean for fresh start.
SAF 11B used to be very power just flash during spot check police will not disturb.
Commandos especially were given special status by Goh Keng Swee as elites....always get into fights also bo taichee not investigated by police.

haha....sounds like early experimentation with sinkification....

 

[kukubird58]

hahaha....some unpleasant incidents....not sure if any forummers were aware of the following tragic cases in RSN in the seventies/eighties:
1. using a crane on a RPL to lift something from the sea off P Brani naval base......crane toppled into the sea and crane operator died
2. using Harbour Launch (HL) to ferry personnel to Horgsberg......one case HL capsized in rough weather...a few lives were lost/went missing.
3. case of a ship crew crossing between ships berthed alongside P Brani naval base.....slipped and fell in between the gap betw ships and drowned...

also in the early seventies, a lot Malaysians joined the Navy as new citizens and stayed in camp as their home in Singapore.
many also failed to report back for duty after home leave.....simply went AWOL.