Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa
Encyclopedia
The Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa ('Gallant Warrior" or Warrior of Extreme Valour) (S.P) is the highest federal award which can be presented in Malaysia. It was created on 29 July 1960 and was gazetted on 11 August 1969.
It is not limited to members of the armed forces. It is the highest Armed Forces Gallantry Award and highest in the order of precedence in the Armed Forces Decorations and Awards
. It is the highest award in the Malaysian Federal Awards therefore outranking the awards which carry the title of Datuk, Tan Sri, or Tun. The award does not carry any title and is not listed in the Federal Order of Importance.
The award carries a memorial allowance of RM
2,000 a month. A deceased recipient may be awarded in which case his next of kin receives a lump-sum payment of RM
30,000.
The award is the highest ranking in the list of the Malaysian Federal Ranking of Awards, and is ranked higher than the Darjah Kerabat Diraja Malaysia (D.K.M.) awarded to Malaysian Royalty.
The award is in the form of a silver medal which has the shape of a crescent moon with the inscription "Gagah Perkasa." Within the arch of the moon is inscribed the fourteen-pointed star. It is carried on a yellow ribbon 1.5 inches wide with red stripes 1/8 inches wide.
It is not limited to members of the armed forces. It is the highest Armed Forces Gallantry Award and highest in the order of precedence in the Armed Forces Decorations and Awards
Awards and decorations of the Malaysian Armed Forces
First five awards in order of rank:* Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa * Panglima Gagah Angkatan Tentera * Panglima Setia Angkatan Tentera * Pahlawan Angkatan Tentera * Panglima Gagah Berani * Kesatria Angkatan Tentera...
. It is the highest award in the Malaysian Federal Awards therefore outranking the awards which carry the title of Datuk, Tan Sri, or Tun. The award does not carry any title and is not listed in the Federal Order of Importance.
The award carries a memorial allowance of RM
Ringgit
Ringgit mostly refers to the Malaysian ringgit, which is the local currency in Malaysia, but it can also refer to the Brunei dollar or Singapore dollar in the Malay language. The word ringgit was originally used to refer to the serrated edges of Spanish silver dollars widely circulated in the area...
2,000 a month. A deceased recipient may be awarded in which case his next of kin receives a lump-sum payment of RM
Ringgit
Ringgit mostly refers to the Malaysian ringgit, which is the local currency in Malaysia, but it can also refer to the Brunei dollar or Singapore dollar in the Malay language. The word ringgit was originally used to refer to the serrated edges of Spanish silver dollars widely circulated in the area...
30,000.
The award is the highest ranking in the list of the Malaysian Federal Ranking of Awards, and is ranked higher than the Darjah Kerabat Diraja Malaysia (D.K.M.) awarded to Malaysian Royalty.
The award is in the form of a silver medal which has the shape of a crescent moon with the inscription "Gagah Perkasa." Within the arch of the moon is inscribed the fourteen-pointed star. It is carried on a yellow ribbon 1.5 inches wide with red stripes 1/8 inches wide.
List of recipients and their citations
- Warrant Officer 2 Lenggu anak China 1971
- Even though the enemy outnumbered the Security Forces, and having managed to destroy the forward boat, the fighting spirit of Warrant Officer 2 Lenggu anak China was not affected. In fact, it had the opposite effect. With determination and a very high spirit, in the highest traditions of the Ranger Corps, he launched a determined assault single handedly against the enemy. He managed to kill 4 of the enemy. In this action, Warrant Officer Lenggu anak China fell beside the enemy he had killed.
- Supt Paul Kiong
- Kiong was an InspectorInspectorInspector is both a police rank and an administrative position, both used in a number of contexts. However, it is not an equivalent rank in each police force.- Australia :...
with the Special BranchMalaysian Special BranchThe Special Branch or SB is an intelligence agency attached to the Royal Malaysian Police. The SB is empowered to acquire and develop intelligence on internal and external threats to the nation, subversive activities, extremist activities and activities of sabotage and spying...
in Ipoh. In 1981, he was part of several operations to cripple communist activities during the communist insurgency between 1966 and 1989. This involved infiltrating the organisation, operating in the jungle, capturing the terrorists alive as well as being involved in direct confrontations with them. He was conferred the SP on June 1, 1983. Kiong was also awarded PerakPerakPerak , one of the 13 states of Malaysia, is the second largest state in the Peninsular Malaysia bordering Kedah and Yala Province of Thailand to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, Selangor the Strait of Malacca to the south and west.Perak means silver in Malay...
's highest bravery award in 1988 for three other operations. He retired as a SuperintendentSuperintendent (police)Superintendent , often shortened to "super", is a rank in British police services and in most English-speaking Commonwealth nations. In many Commonwealth countries the full version is superintendent of police...
of Police in 1997.
- Deputy Superintendent Sia Boon Chee
- Sia was an InspectorInspectorInspector is both a police rank and an administrative position, both used in a number of contexts. However, it is not an equivalent rank in each police force.- Australia :...
with the Special BranchMalaysian Special BranchThe Special Branch or SB is an intelligence agency attached to the Royal Malaysian Police. The SB is empowered to acquire and develop intelligence on internal and external threats to the nation, subversive activities, extremist activities and activities of sabotage and spying...
in IpohIpohIpoh is the capital city of Perak state, Malaysia. It is approximately 200 km north of Kuala Lumpur on the North-South Expressway....
and was part of the same operations to fight the communist threat. These operations required him to gather intelligence by infiltrating enemy lines, operating in thick jungle, capturing terrorists alive and engaging them in direct battle. He was awarded the SP on June 1, 1983. He retired with the rank of DSP in 1994. He read law the following year and is currently a practicing lawyer.
- Captain Mohana Chandran al Velayuthan (alternate spellings: Mohana, Velaythan, Mohanachandran Velayutham)
- Captain Chandran was posthumously awarded the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa on 3 June 1971. Leading a unit of ten men of the 4th Battalion Royal RangersRoyal Ranger RegimentThe Royal Ranger Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Malaysian Army. Although it is second in seniority to the Royal Malay Regiment , the RRD can trace its origins back to the mid 19th century and the establishment of The Sarawak Rangers, the peacekeeping force in the Sarawak region...
on a reconnaissanceReconnaissanceReconnaissance is the military term for exploring beyond the area occupied by friendly forces to gain information about enemy forces or features of the environment....
mission in the vicinity of the Ulu Kinta forest (PerakPerakPerak , one of the 13 states of Malaysia, is the second largest state in the Peninsular Malaysia bordering Kedah and Yala Province of Thailand to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, Selangor the Strait of Malacca to the south and west.Perak means silver in Malay...
), he happened upon a group of communist insurgents numbering approximately 40 men. This occurred on the tenth day of their mission and 4 hours after they had located the first enemy tracks. Coming under murderous fire after detection by an enemy sentry Captain Chandran rallied his squad and advanced on the enemy. The encounter with the well-entrenched enemy led to the death of Captain Chandran at the age of 27 and he was posthumously awarded the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa.
- Captain Chandran was an alumnus of Royal Military CollegeRoyal Military CollegeThe Royal Military College can refer to:* Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, Canada* Royal Military College Saint-Jean in Saint-Jean, Quebec, Canada* Royal Military College, Duntroon in Campbell, Australian Capital Territory, Australia...
. He was from the 1963-1964 batch. Attached to Alpha company and remembered by his batchmate as V.M. Chandran and later in the army as Ray Chandran.
- Warrant Officer 1 (901738) Kanang anak LangkauKanang anak LangkauPW 1 Temenggong Datuk Kanang anak Langkau, SP,PGB,P.G.B.K. is a famous Malaysian hero and soldier from the Iban Dayak community in Sarawak. He was in the Royal Ranger Regiment and Regimental Sergeant Major of 8 Renjer of the Malaysian Army...
- Kanang anak Langkau of Simanggang, SarawakSarawakSarawak is one of two Malaysian states on the island of Borneo. Known as Bumi Kenyalang , Sarawak is situated on the north-west of the island. It is the largest state in Malaysia followed by Sabah, the second largest state located to the North- East.The administrative capital is Kuching, which...
was a Malaysian Ranger from the 8th Battalion Royal RangersRoyal Ranger RegimentThe Royal Ranger Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Malaysian Army. Although it is second in seniority to the Royal Malay Regiment , the RRD can trace its origins back to the mid 19th century and the establishment of The Sarawak Rangers, the peacekeeping force in the Sarawak region...
(now known as the 8th Paras) is the first and only living recipient of both the "Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa" and the "Pingat Gagah BeraniPanglima Gagah BeraniThe Panglima Gagah Berani is a medal given by the government of Malaysia. The name translates to "General of Bravery and Valor". It can be conferred posthumously. The award was created on 29 July 1960...
." He is the first and only person thus far to have received two gallantry awards in the Malaysian Armed Forces.
- He joined the service with the Sarawak Rangers as an Iban Tracker on the 21 April 1962. He was absorbed into the Malaysian RangersRoyal Ranger RegimentThe Royal Ranger Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Malaysian Army. Although it is second in seniority to the Royal Malay Regiment , the RRD can trace its origins back to the mid 19th century and the establishment of The Sarawak Rangers, the peacekeeping force in the Sarawak region...
when Malaysia was proclaimed on the 16 September 1963. He retired as a Warrant Officer 1 after 21 years in the service.
- Following the death of one soldier in the Tanah Hitam area of PerakPerakPerak , one of the 13 states of Malaysia, is the second largest state in the Peninsular Malaysia bordering Kedah and Yala Province of Thailand to the north, Penang to the northwest, Kelantan and Pahang to the east, Selangor the Strait of Malacca to the south and west.Perak means silver in Malay...
in an engagement with communists on the 8th February 1980 the Unit Combat Intelligence Squad (UCIS) of 8th Battalion Royal RangersRoyal Ranger RegimentThe Royal Ranger Regiment is an infantry regiment of the Malaysian Army. Although it is second in seniority to the Royal Malay Regiment , the RRD can trace its origins back to the mid 19th century and the establishment of The Sarawak Rangers, the peacekeeping force in the Sarawak region...
under the leadership of Kanang anak LangkauKanang anak LangkauPW 1 Temenggong Datuk Kanang anak Langkau, SP,PGB,P.G.B.K. is a famous Malaysian hero and soldier from the Iban Dayak community in Sarawak. He was in the Royal Ranger Regiment and Regimental Sergeant Major of 8 Renjer of the Malaysian Army...
was tasked to seek and destroySearch and destroySearch and Destroy, Seek and Destroy, or even simply S&D, refers to a military strategy that became a notorious component of the Vietnam War. The idea was to insert ground forces into hostile territory, search out the enemy, destroy them, and withdraw immediately afterward...
the 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 platoonPlatoonA platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
managed to estimate the location of the enemy, who were close by.
- Unfortunately, Kanang's group was mistaken as they were already within the enemy's perimeter, which they realised when they found a communications cord connecting the sentry outpost to the main force. The cord was usually connected to a bush or empty cans so that a sentry could use it to alert the main force of intruders.
- Kanang, 8 metres from the enemy sentry position, launched an attack to his right flank. It then became apparent that the main force lay 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. Kanang anak Langkau was conferred the "Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa" for valour in decimating the enemy on 3 June 1981.
- Kapten Hamid Awang
- Based on intelligence gathered indicating that a force of 40 to 50 communist terrorist would converge on Gunung Pueh, “D” Company of 2 Royal Malay Regiment led by Kapten Hamid was tasked in a search and destroy mission.
- On 7 April 1973, Kapten Hamid and his company detected a Communist Terrorist encampment. Kapten Hamid organised his company for an assault on the camp. Kapten Hamid fired an M79 grenade round to mark the start of the attack and rush into the Communist Terrorist camp. In the heat of battle, a communist terrorist tried to shoot down one of Kapten Hamid’s man. Kapten Hamid immediately rushed to the terrorist and hit the terrorist in the neck with the M79 grenade launcher.
- Kapten Hamid’s company scored 3 kills and captured 3 enemy weapons, as well as ammunition and assorted equipment. Kapten Hamid’s company suffered 1 KIA. Kapten Hamid was awarded the SP on 6 June 1973.
- Leftenan JeneralLieutenant GeneralLieutenant General is a military rank used in many countries. The rank traces its origins to the Middle Ages where the title of Lieutenant General was held by the second in command on the battlefield, who was normally subordinate to a Captain General....
(Retired) Dato' Seri Zaini Mohamad SaidZaini Mohamad SaidLieutenant General Dato' Seri Zaini Mohamad Said is a retired Malaysian Army general officer with the last rank, Leftenan Jeneral and last position as the Malaysian Army Field Commander...
- DSP Abd Razak bin Mohd Yusoff
- Velu Rajavelu
- Gean Kartar Singh
- Ngalinuh Bala, at Kilah Atu
- Etin Bijam
- Reggie anak Deli
- Nuing anak Saling
- Saimon Tarikat
- Yeap Sean Hua
- Fong Thean Kit
- Chin Chin Kong
- Jalil Ibrahim - Civilian (an alumnus of Royal Military CollegeRoyal Military CollegeThe Royal Military College can refer to:* Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, Canada* Royal Military College Saint-Jean in Saint-Jean, Quebec, Canada* Royal Military College, Duntroon in Campbell, Australian Capital Territory, Australia...
, Year 1964-65, Hotel Company)
- Not many remember the bespectacled former student of the Royal Military CollegeRoyal Military CollegeThe Royal Military College can refer to:* Royal Military College of Canada in Kingston, Ontario, Canada* Royal Military College Saint-Jean in Saint-Jean, Quebec, Canada* Royal Military College, Duntroon in Campbell, Australian Capital Territory, Australia...
who was killed in Hong KongHong KongHong Kong is one of two Special Administrative Regions of the People's Republic of China , the other being Macau. A city-state situated on China's south coast and enclosed by the Pearl River Delta and South China Sea, it is renowned for its expansive skyline and deep natural harbour...
in July 1983 while investigating a case involving the fraudulent award of RMRinggitRinggit mostly refers to the Malaysian ringgit, which is the local currency in Malaysia, but it can also refer to the Brunei dollar or Singapore dollar in the Malay language. The word ringgit was originally used to refer to the serrated edges of Spanish silver dollars widely circulated in the area...
2.5 billion (then) in loans by Bumiputra Finance Berhad to the Carrian GroupCarrian GroupThe Carrian Group was a Hong Kong conglomerate founded by George Tan, a Singaporean Civil Engineer working in Hong Kong as a project manager for a land development company. The Group's principal holding company Carrian Holdings, Ltd...
helmed by Malaysian businessman George Tan.
- He was killed by another Malaysian, Mak Foon Than.
- The case received wide coverage as the names of several Malaysian politicians were dragged in. The Carrian group's spectacular collapse the same year was also to become Hong Kong's largest bankruptcy.
- To date, he is the only civilian to receive the award.
- Mat Aznan Awang - killed in action during the Battle of Mogadishu under the United NationsUnited NationsThe United Nations is an international organization whose stated aims are facilitating cooperation in international law, international security, economic development, social progress, human rights, and achievement of world peace...
' banner.