SHAH ALAM - Today marks the 61st year since pioneer group Malayan Special Force comprising the fourth Battalian of the Royal Malay Regiment (4RMR) and C Squadron 2nd Reconnaissance Regiment (C Sqn 2 Recce) returned after a 10-month service with the United Nations (UN) in Congo.
Speaking to Sinar Daily, 84-year old Lieutenant Colonel Tan Siew Soo said he remembered that day as clear as the broad day light. "On that day we disembarked at Port Klang and boarded a special train to Kuala Lumpur. "The journey felt surreal, a truly wonderful experience.
"On both sides of the railway tracks, people rushed out from their homes to welcome us, waving their hands. "We could hear them cheering for us throughout the 40-kilometre route," he said.
Tan said the people's spontaneous gesture gave him and his comrades a rewarding feeling.
His journey in the army started on Jan 2, 1957.
He was among the first group of cadet officers trained in Port Dickson called the "Intake One Regular Cadet Wing" at the Federation Military College.
Tan then commissioned on Dec 13, 1958 by the first Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Rahman Tuanku Muhammad and was sent to the Federation Armoured Car Regiment which was later called Recce Regiment (Peninjau), Cavalry and now known as Armour.
Sharing his 65 years in the military, Tan said he served in the Congo twice (20 months), the first time was from 1960 until July 1961.
"My 'C' Squadron was selected to be part of the newly formed Malayan Special Force (MSF) for service with the UN in the Congo.
"The MSF comprised 3x rifle coys from 4RMR, C Sqn 2 Recce, Signal Regiment detachments and elements of supply and transport and ordnance workshop,” he said.
He said after a 10-month break, the squad was summoned back to Congo, which they were the only unit to carry out two tours of duty with the UN.
"This time we teamed up with the 2RMR and we were the last MSF to serve in the Congo. "We departed for Congo in June 1962 and returned home in April 1963,” he recalled.
To commemorate his memories in Congo, Tan who retired in 1990 wrote a book entitled "Malayan Special Force in the Heart of Africa".
In his book, he wrote about the hardships he went through as well as the proud moments while he served in the country.
"I feel that the history of Congo has been forgotten. "The present generation needs to know about this. "I experienced hard times during my service there. But there were also many happy and proud moments," he said.