Kanang Anak Langkau - Role During The Insurgency

Role During The Insurgency

Following the death of one soldier in the Tanah Hitam, Perak by Communist insurgents on 8 February 1980, the Unit Combat Intelligence Platoon of 8th Battalion Royal Rangers under the leadership of Kanang anak Langkau was tasked to seek and destroy a this insurgent group. They tracked the enemy over 11 days on terrain familiar to the enemy. On the evening 19 February 1980 at around 1500 hours his platoon managed to estimate the location of the enemies, who were close by. Their initial estimate of the enemy's location proved incorrect when they found a communications cord connecting the sentry outpost to the main force and the platoon was well inside the enemy's perimeter. Cord such as this one is usually connected to a bush or empty cans so that a sentry could use it to alert the main guerrilla force. They had unknowingly penetrated the enemy's perimeter.

Kanang, 8 metres from the enemy sentry position, launched an attack to his right flank. It then became apparent from the enemy return fire that the main force was to the left. They assaulted the left and routed the enemy taking one casualty and killing five communists. One soldier was seriously wounded and Kanang himself took three rounds but survived and eventually returned to active duty. His bravery was shown during the battle, when he shouts the legendary battle cry; Agi Idup Agi Ngelaban!, which means "As long as I live, I shall fight!", in Iban, which is also the Royal Ranger Regiment motto.