YAHYA SOLDIERS ON WITH HIS GALLERY

By Lizawati Bahanan

GEORGE TOWN (Penang, Malaysia), Aug 27 (Bernama) -- Each time when August 31
nears, a former soldier attached to a British army unit in Malaya sees flashes
from the past, the struggle for independence and the fight against the communist
threat.

Datuk Yahya Shafii, the first Malay to join the British army, today is
grateful for the fact that not only he survived a communist ambush right on
Merdeka day but also lived to witness the birth of his son the same day.

However, more than anything else he is grateful for the fact that his
sacrifices have helped Malaysia to emerge as a peaceful nation.

"I had to spend much of the 12 years in the jungles and we even had to eat
python and foxes to survive, all for the sake of our country," he told Bernama.

Yahya, who hails from Kampung Seronok (Seronok Village), Penang, took part
in 176 operations against the communist before and after Merdeka and his left
leg was once badly injured by a booby trap.

After leaving the army in early 1970s, he realised he had a wealth of
experience and memorabilia to share with fellow Malaysians.

He was nostalgic on his years as a serviceman and the pre and post Merdeka
days and now brings fellow Malaysians through his nostalgic journey using
photographs and other memorabilia at the Military Gallery that he opened at his
home in Batu Maung.

A MEMORIAL GALLERY

The gallery opened since 1971 is dedicated to his comrades and the freedom
fighters in the country.

"After retiring, I opened this gallery to help my children and grandchildren
appreciate our sacrifices and the spirit of Merdeka," he said.

There is a particular photo that is very meaningful to him and it was taken
when his company landed in Sungai Siput, Perak state in 1948, as the advance
party.

"At that time we took photographs with the cannons known as 'Pembela'
(protector), a manually operated cannon.

"If weren't for me, the cannons won't fire and at that time I was only
trained to fire the cannon," he said.

Pictures of senior British military officers and communist leaders also
provide an insight on the people to be reckoned with at that time.

The gallery is open from 10 am to 6.30 pm from Mondays to Thursdays and from
8.30 am to 7.30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The entrance is free but visitors
can donate.

The gallery that has been opened to the public for the last 39 years was set
up with his own funds.

During the Merdeka (Independence) month he receives a good number of
visitors to the gallery and at times school children and undergraduates come to
seek materials for their research.

In future, he plans to work with the relevant agencies to improve the
exhibition area in the gallery to showcase history in pictures.

A SOLDIER AMONG TEACHERS

Yahya, 76, is the second son out of 13 siblings, and is the only one
to join the army.

"I come from a family of teachers, my father was a teacher and my children
too are teachers, no one in the family including the grandchildren have shown
interest in joining the armed forces," said Yahya who is expecting his great
grandchild next year.

He married Siti Zaleha at the age of 16, a year after joining the army and
the couple was blessed with two sons and two daughters. Now they have 15 grand
children.

"My eldest son was born two hours after the Merdeka celebration, after
completing the Merdeka parade, I received a telegram that my wife is having
labour pain.

"I immediately packed up to return and surrendered the weapon to my superior
but on the way back I was ambushed by the communist, and was injured on the
chest.

"So, there is the sweet memories of my eldest son being born on the Merdeka
day whom I named Abdul Rahman after Malaya's first chief minister Tunku Abdul
Rahman (Putra Al-Haj) and there is the bitter memories of being shot when I was
unarmed," he said.

NOW AND THEN

Asked on what he perceives of Merdeka now, he replied with a sad note that
the present generation only wants to have fun when celebrating Merdeka but they
have no clear idea on what is the true meaning of independence.

"I'm sad that we have to beg the people to fly the Jalur Gemilang (Malaysian
Flag), and there is no true excitement like before.

"They (the younger generation) don't seem to understand the true struggle,
they are only seeking excitement and fun, during my talks I see that they are
only interested in the action, nothing else," he said.

The present generation too lacks the Merdeka spirit and this contributes to
the present day social ills.

"Though we have attained independence but the younger generation is being
ruled by negative elements without them realising it. Lets not get too contented
with the good things that we have now," he said.

Yahya, a decorated soldier, stated that the fight for independence is one
thing but safeguarding our independence is a different matter all together.

"Appreciate the sacrifices of our freedom fighters and warriors for their
deeds in seeking independence and in safeguarding our sovereignty," he asked.
-- BERNAMA


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