Senoi Praaq - History - Senoi Praaq Operations

Senoi Praaq Operations

The Operational Area of the Senoi Praaq was the “Bamboo Operations Area”, which defines two strips of land along the Main Range from Thailand to Johor.

The Senoi Praaq would traverse the deep darkness of the rainforests that borders Malaysia, moving quickly and silently through the thick jungle undergrowth, seemingly impenetrable to others. Although many members are of the Senoi tribe, all 18 sub ethnic groups are represented in the Senoi Praaq.

The Senoi Praaq was formed to counter the influence of the communist insurgents on the Orang Asli community deep in the jungles of Malaysia, as the communist terrorists operated close to the Orang Asli communities, and the British were concerned of the influence that the communist terrorist would have on the Orang Asli communities. The extraordinary jungle survival and tracking skills of the Orang Asli was legendary and the British feared that the Communist Terrorist would gain an advantage if these skills were utilized against the British.

Apart from modern firearms, the unit also used sharpened bamboo stakes in traps called the Belantik, an animal trap modified by the Senoi Praaq to trap a more dangerous hunt. A contraption of rope, bamboo, rattan and roots, the Belantik was cleverly camouflaged with leaves and grass. It was a sharp stick that would go right through the torso of the victim.

Before the Senoi Praaq was deployed into an area, conventional units would withdraw, allowing the Senoi Praaq complete unrestricted freedom of movement in the operational area. The jungle skills, stealth, endurance, and fighting skills of the Senoi Praaq made them feared adversaries of the communist terrorists in Malaya. The unit notched up a respectable body count and legends born of the time when the Senoi Praaq would count up 10 kills in a single incident. The Senoi Praaq Squadrons achieved a kill ratio of 16:1 (Jumper, pg 61) for killed, wounded or surrendered.

In some instances, the Senoi Praaq troopers were given the choice of weapons. They apparently enjoyed scoring kills using their traditional weapons, the blowpipe was a favourite. They particularly enjoyed a leisurely hunt that would take a few days, stalking their prey in a leisurely hunt. (Jumper, pg 62)

The Senoi Praaq quickly established a ruthless reputation among the Communist Terrorists, and took great pains to avoid the Senoi Praaq. (Jumper, pg 63). Though they had access to air support and artillery support, these were rarely used. Instead The Senoi Praaq prefers their more intimate kills.