Foreign lawyers not welcomed in M'sia (Malaysiakini)

'If the Malaysian government has nothing to fear, why deport foreign lawyers who are here in the country to meet their clients?'

British lawyer deported over Hindraf lawsuit

Dr Suresh Kumar: In my view, the deportation of British lawyer Imran Khan can be best concluded as a 'blessing in disguise' so to speak.

If the Malaysian government had nothing to hide, it would not have committed such a shameful and deplorable act against a human rights lawyer. As a matter of fact, the Malaysian government has breached the lawyer's right to meet his clients as well as the rights of his clients to meet their lawyer.

Now the British government can take cognisance of what this class-action suit is all about. This insane decision by the Malaysian government to deport Khan, who is allegedly a security threat, is totally ridiculous and shameful. It speaks volumes of the government's fear to face reality in today's borderless world.

No one, can stifle the voices of truth and justice. Not even the great Lord Shiva, who taught us that truth should be spoken, no matter who you face or what you may face. You cheat the weak and the defenseless, sooner or later you will pay a hefty price for it.

Hindraf/HRP need not have links with the LTTE (Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam) as the government stupidly accused. They have brains and the power of the pen to take on Umno or any other political party, which may want to play political games with the lives of the Indian poor.

Anticommunalist: The deportation proves a lot of things. One, the Malaysian government has lot to hide from the world.

Two, the fact that British lawyer Imran Khan was deported shows that he is no ordinary lawyer and one that the government fears.

Hence, this is not some kind of a 'wayang kulit' show by Hindraf, but a serious attempt to get to the bottom of the root causes of discrimination against the minorities in this country by the racist Umno government since independence.

Rohan: Not many have the guts to do these things. Hindraf has proven time and again that they are fearless and would confront injustice head on.

Their lawyer is equally the same. He did not hide his reasons as to why he was coming to Malaysia. He was upfront but these Umno immigration had to take instructions from their masters. It is plainly clear that they fear Hindraf and their lawyer.

I believe Hindraf have thousands of documents to prove Umno's deceit from the time of independence.

Dood: If the Malaysian government has nothing to fear, why deport foreign lawyers who are here in the country to meet their clients? How shameful.

Solaris: It may seem to some that Hindraf is approaching the issue of Indian marginalisation incorrectly and that the only alternative is to vote for the opposition, but this is getting quite tiresome, irritating and passe.

To me, it looks like Hindraf is attempting to address the problem at its root cause and being quite rational and methodical in its approach. Otherwise, it would not have been called a "fact-finding mission".

As for Lover Boy, who said that "Malaysia has no bones with these people but it is the British who made the request that these chaps are to be deported," why then did the British Foreign office and its embassy in Kuala Lumpur try to intervene on behalf of Imran?

Anonymous: Hindraf took a calculated risks. The fact that Umno deported a lawyer shows they fear Hindraf and their class action. This case would truly open a whole lot of Umno rubbish and mind you, it would be known internationally.

Khairuddin Mohd Yusof: At least, Hindraf has shone the spotlight on the mistreatment of Indians at the hands of the powers-that-be.

Sadly, racism seems to be very much part of life in Malaysia. The excuse given by BN is 'ketuanan', while Pakatan Rakyat's multiracial approach means Chinese and Malays only.

Both show indifference towards the plight of the Indians. Sad situation indeed.

Anonymous2: In 2007, Hindraf went to the British High Commission to hand over a petition and they were attacked and hundreds arrested.

Now their lawyer, who came to meet them, was deported. What nonsense is this? I hope our opposition MPs would raise this gross human rights violations in Parliament.

Do not use yoga for an easier fast, cleric says

ANKARA, The intention of trying to prevent hunger and thirst is against the Islamic spirit, according to Religious Affairs Directorate Supreme Board member Altuntaş.

 

The Religious Affairs Directorate has severely criticized people who have resorted to yoga to lessen the intense feeling of hunger and thirst while fasting during the holy month of Ramadan.

The intention of trying to prevent hunger and thirst is against the Islamic spirit, Religious Affairs Directorate Supreme Board member and associate professor Dr. Halil Altuntaş said.

According to some experts, yoga can be used to increase body resistance against hunger and thirst through pranayama (respiration) and pratyahara (sense control), as well as prevent tension caused by fasting.

Altuntaş also noted the “different religious beliefs” behind yoga’s philosophy, Radikal reported while emphasizing that hunger and thirst were among the main reasons and aims of fasting. “In this way, humans think of Allah, who provides food, and empathize with those who can not find it as easily. What is the point of not eating or drinking without feeling all of this?” he asked.

Stating that fasting without going through any difficulty was against Islam, Altuntaş said: “Foreign trends seeking acceptance from Muslims are trying to [penetrate into society] using Islam. Do not give credit to it.”

The Chosen Ones

Tsu Koon slams Ezam’s ‘jihad’ threats

KUALA LUMPUR, Aug 13 – Senator Tan Sri Dr Koh Tsu Koon slammed today his Barisan Nasional (BN) colleague Umno Senator Ezam Mohd Nor’s threat to wage war against those who try to proselytise Muslims.

The Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in National Unity and Performance Management said in a statement that Ezam’s threats had sent out the wrong message and could damage the coalition’s reputation.

“Senator Ezam Nor’s open threat to burn two online news portals (Malaysia Kini and Malaysian Insider) is uncalled for, unwarranted and unacceptable, further fanning emotions in the controversy arising out of JAIS’ (Selangor Islamic Affairs Department) action against DUMC (Damansara Utama Methodist Church),” Koh (picture) said.

The Gerakan party president said Ezam has his right to express his views about defending Islam and his concern about alleged proselytisation of Muslims which is now being investigated.

“If he thinks that reports in the online news portals were not correct and proper, he should present cogent arguments against them, present relevant facts and solid evidence, or even take legal action.

“Unfortunately, instead of using his intellect and influence to argue and counter whatever he did not agree with, he allowed himself to be overtaken by emotions and sentiments which have evoked negative reaction of others,” Koh said.

Ezam vowed yesterday to wage war against those who try to proselytise Muslims, in a highly-charged assembly where he also defended the state Islamic religious authorities’ raid on a dinner at a church last week.

The former PKR leader and a group of demonstrators rallied after Friday prayers here in support of the Jais over its raid at the DUMC in Petaling Jaya on August 3. Among those present was Kulim MP Zulkifli Noordin.

“Those who are rude to Islam, Allah, Quran, we have no choice but to wage a war to defend our religion,” Ezam told the crowd under the newly-organised Gerakan Cegah Murtad group.

Ezam also warned the media of what he described as false reporting against Islam, citing Malaysiakini and The Malaysian Insider.

“If you don’t stop all this rubbish, we will go and burn you down,” he threatened the online news portals.
Ezam said the issue was not with religion itself.

“We have problems with those who insult our religion and try to proselytise Muslims, We have problems with Muslims themselves, who insult our religion and support the proselytising of Muslims,” he said.

By issuing such threats of violence, Koh said Ezam has gone “overboard”, and damaged, not only his own image as a senator but also that of the organisations he represents.

“Malaysians have been known for our commitment to and practice of moderation, inclusiveness, social cohesion and harmony.  1Malaysia as promoted by our prime minister is meant to further enhance this commitment and to promote understanding and unity.

“In the spirit of 1Malaysia, leaders must talk and act with a strong sense of responsibility and restraint and help to resolve any inter-ethnic and inter-religious misunderstanding, controversy or conflict, but not to add more fuel to the fire,” Koh said.

Indian residents in Serendah have given MIC Youth deputy chief and a temple chairman one week to explain, failing which, they will take the matter to MACC.

HULU SELANGOR: A group of vexed Serendah residents have urged a local MIC leader and a temple committee to reveal the mystery behind the Serendah Hindu crematorium contract.

The Serendah Indian Community Association last month lodged a police report alleging that MIC Youth deputy chief V Mugilan worked in cahoots with certain office bearers of the Sri Selva Vinayagar Temple to take out RM400,000 from a RM2 million fund without authorisation.

The association claimed that the RM400,000 had been withdrawn from the fund without any announcement by the temple committee.

However, Mugilan denied the allegation and lodged a police report against the association’s president and FMT.

Mugilan claimed that the crematorium project was his “brainchild” and the temple committee appointed him as coordinator for the project.

According to him, he was not aware about the dealing between the temple committee and contractor despite Mugilan telling FMT that RM400,000 was used to pay a deposit to the contractor for the project and the amount represented 20% of the cost.

‘Explain, or we go to MACC’

Speaking to FMT, the association’s president K Sathiaseelan said Serendah residents were fed up and angry with Mugilan, after they learned that the latter and the temple committee decided to return the fund to the government.

“This is strange. When people raise questions, Mugilan and the temple committee chairman should answer the questions, not return the money,” he said.

He pointed out that the money was given for the Indian community in Serendah.

“So how come Mugilan and the temple chairman have the ultimate power to return the money without the residents’ knowledge?” he asked, adding that he suspected something was amiss.

“We will give one week to Mugilan and the temple chairman to explain the details of the contracts. If they fail to do so, we will file a complaint with MACC (Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission),” he said.
Despite numerous attempts, Mugilan could not be reached for comment.

Profusion of Ah Longs a sign of economic woes

All so-called anti-poverty actions are just ad-hoc programs. Solve this and this, and wait for the next one to surface! The government is confused because it doesn’t have the financial capability to solve the problem and it doesn’t understand all the factors affecting the economy.
 
By Daniel John Jambun  

The decision by the Government Employees Co-operative Society Berhad (Kopeks) recently to settle debts owed by its members to Ah Longs to the hefty tune of RM500,000 made one wonder if Kopeks is not actually encouraging its members to go into debt, because it could easily bail them out anytime when the situation becomes critical. The bailout was a precedent that set a bad example of co-operative fund management.

It also reminded us how bad the economic situation in the Sabah is right now. If government servants can go into serious debt in spite of earning salaries, imagine the situation for those without jobs, and those in the rural areas who have to live off the land just to keep body and soul together. In this period of high inflation even those with salaries are in fact living below the poverty line.

If we still need to be convinced about the dire situation the people are facing, just let’s note that the recent job fair organized by the BN got a surprising response of 30,000! And these only involved those who could afford to come. Many didn’t even bother to come because they knew it was not worth the effort and cost to go.

Part of the reasons for the state’s poverty is the high unemployment rate among young school leavers and graduates. Many graduates actually survive by opening and operating kueh stalls, even taking on odd jobs. So the repeated advice to youths not to be choosy with jobs is actually a lot of nonsense knowing these young people, out of sheer desperation, are even going by the tens of thousands to Kuala Lumpur, Johore and Singapore to earn money.

High unemployment in Sabah has also caused the existence of sandwich families, which the government has admitted to be very high in number. The term “sandwich family” can be defined, from my own observation, as the case of parents who have to house and feed their children who are already married and have their own children because of joblessness. Many families are not even having any celebration when their children get married because they are so cash-strapped!

There is an ongoing, hidden depression going on in Sabah. They have suffered so long but have partly resigned to their fate knowing they is nothing they can do. The government has simply failed them. A fifty-ringgit note doesn’t last very long, doesn’t buy a lot these days. People have very little savings and for those who struggle to make ends meet, the money runs out long before payday.

What is more depressing is that we all know the government has not an iota of a  plan to solve the problem; all so-called anti-poverty actions are just ad-hoc programs. Solve this and this, and wait for the next one to surface! The government is confused because it doesn’t have the financial capability to solve the problem and it doesn’t understand all the factors affecting the economy - globally or locally. So they have become experts in coming up with lame explanations and playing the blame game, like they blame youths for being unemployed because “they are choosy”. What a load of nonsense!

So in desperation, the people who need to settle their financial problems have to resort to Ah Longs, or loan sharks. And loan sharks come to fill up the market because there is a huge need for their service. A profusion of loan sharks, the rise of MLMs, get-rich-quick schemes and gambling businesses are a clear indication of serious economic problems in any country. People need a way out to escape financial pitfalls and hope to fulfill their dreams by buying lottery tickets as a way to comfort their troubled souls.

The latest way to become rich overnight today is to find the tokek lizard and make millions overnight!
I would challenge the BN government to undertake a statistical survey of the situation and give us the accurate figures for unemployed secondary school leavers and graduates, the number of sandwich families and the grand total of amounts they spend from their parents’ income, the number of Sabahans who are working in the Peninsular and Singapore, and most importantly to give an economic blueprint for Sabah to solve unemployment and poverty in the short term.

Or is the government itself too cash-strapped to undertake these surveys?

How much does it cost to pay IDS to do them compared to providing for some road buildings in which the cost are doubled of tripled for the benefit of some political bosses? How much money has been stashed overseas, robbing us of economic trickle-down effects? We can only imagine the terrible losses we have suffered and our children will suffer in the future because of our government’s corruption and mismanagement!

Dekan UM: Alasan SPR tolak tuntutan Bersih 2.0 memalukan

KAJANG, 13 Ogos — Seorang dekan Universiti Malaya hari ini membidas alasan Suruhanjaya Pilihan Raya (SPR) untuk menolak lapan tuntutan Gabungan Pilihan Raya Bersih dan Adil (Bersih 2.0) sambil menyifatkan ia satu keputusan “memalukan.”

Dekan Fakulti Sastera dan Sains Sosial Prof Dr Redzuan Othman berkata tindakan SPR menolak untuk melaksanakan tidak wajar kerana kesemua tuntutan itu boleh dilakukan badan pengurusan pilihan raya itu.

Lapan tuntutan Bersih 2.0 adalah agar SPR membersihkan daftar undi, mereformasikan undi pos, gunakan dakwat kekal, akses media yang bebas dan adil, tempoh kempen minimum 21 hari, diperkukuhkan institusi awam, hentikan rasuah dan hentikan politik kotor.

“Jawapan yang diberikan tidak melambangkan satu intelektual dalam SPR yang mana SPR kata tidak boleh (laksanakan), akses media dia (SPR) kata parti politik boleh gunakan media elektronik, tempoh kempen... SPR kata melibatkan soal keselamatan.

“Dalam pilihan raya umum di Malaysia, saya lihat sejak 1974 tidak ada satu pergaduhan dan tiada pertumparan darah, kalau ada pun disebabkan kemalangan semasa pilihan raya,” katanya pada forum Reformasi Pilihan Raya dan Pemurnian Demokrasi anjuran Angkatan Belia Islam Malaysia (Abim) di Kolej Dar Al-Hikmah, Sungai Ramal Dalam di sini.

Justeru tegas Redzuan, SPR perlu memandang serius tuntutan yang dikemukakan Bersih 2.0 sehingga membawa perhimpunan aman pada 9 Julai lalu di ibu negara.

“Isu keselamatan bukan alasan untuk kurangkan tempoh berkempen, undi pos pula SPR kata ramai pelajar kita di luar negara tapi dulu, semasa saya masih belajar di luar negara, semasa tiba pilihan raya saya pergi ke kedutaan (untuk mengundi) tapi tiada, saya tidak mahu sebut tuntutan lain...hujah yang diberikan SPR memalukan.

“Proses pilihan raya harus melambangkan rakyat merasakan keadilan, peranan SPR, saya lihat dalam soal tempoh berkempan dulu sejak 1955 tempoh berkempen selama 42 hari, kemudian pada 1969 35 hari, pada 2004 tempoh dipendekkan kepada lapan hari ini benarkan Barisan Nasional (BN) menang besar begitu juga dengan akses media, pembangkang tidak dapat akses media,” katanya.

Selain Redzuan, turut menjadi ahli panel adalah Timbalan Menteri Pengajian Tinggi Datuk Saifuddin Abdullah dan Pengarah Institut Hal Ehwal Demokrasi dan Ekonomi (Ideas) Wan Mohd Firdaus Wan Mohd Puaad.

Sebelum ini Timbalan Pengerusi SPR Datuk Wira Wan Ahmad Wan Omar berkata pihaknya tidak boleh melaksanakan tuntutan Bersih 2.0 dengan alasan tidak mempunyai kuasa.

Justeru beliau meminta Bersih 2.0 yang dipengerusikan Datuk Ambiga Sreenevesan agar mengemukakan lapan tuntutan berkaitan pembaharuan sistem pilihan raya kepada Putrajaya, bukannya kepada agensi itu.
Jelas Wan Ahmad, SPR tidak mempunyai sebarang kuasa untuk melaksanakan lapan tuntutan itu kerana ia terikat dengan undang-undang dan peraturan yang ditetapkan.

Lebih menjurus kepada lapan tuntutan Bersih 2.0 terutamanya akses media yang bebas dan adil, Redzuan meminta agar Putrajaya mencontohi Singapura yang membenarkan semua calon bertanding mendapat kebebasan media termasuk melalui televisyen.

“Kenapa kita tidak ikut Singapura, parti-parti politik diberi peluang untuk mendapat akses media, walaupun sehari sebelum hari mengundi semua calon tidak dibenarkan berkempen, namun mereka diberi peluang untuk bercakap di televisyen.

“Tapi di Malaysia media menggambarkan suasana pilihan raya sebagai perang, media memberikan gambaran yang tidak elok tentang pembangkang... tuntutan adalah tuntutan rakyat Malaysia, masyarakat sekarang tidak sama dengan masyarakat dulu... masyarakat hari ini tidak mahu diperbodohkan,” katanya.

Isu pengurusan pilihan raya semakin hangat baru-baru selepas Pakatan Rakyat mendedahkan banyak kepincangan dan penyelewengan dalam daftar pemilih termasuk tindakan menukar status kewarganegaraan pemastautin tetap kepada warganegara dalam tempoh yang singkat.

Bagaimanapun perkara itu dinafikan oleh Jabatan Pendaftaran Negara (JPN) dan SPR.
Pakatan Rakyat turut meminta Perdana Menteri Datuk Seri Najib Razak mengadakan sidang tergempar Parlimen bagi membahaskan perkara itu.

Pada sidang media semalam, SPR menafikan dakwaan bahawa badan pengurusan pilihan raya itu sengaja membenarkan pemastautin tetap menjadi pengundi yang sah.

Sebaliknya, Pengerusi SPR Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Mohd Yusof berkata, ia hanya kesilapan teknikal yang berlaku semasa proses pendataan JPN namun dikecam PAS.

Police Act provisions to ensure rights are not abused

PETALING JAYA: The Government has no plans to abolish any provisions under the Police Act 1967 which give police the power to regulate assemblies, meetings and processions.

The Government, in its feedback to Suhakam's Annual Report 2010, said these provisions were part of preventive laws introduced to ensure the right to assembly was not misused as provided for under Article 10(2)(b) of the Federal Constitution.

The national human rights institution had recommended that subsections (2), (2A)-(2D), (4), (4A), (5), (5A)-(5C), (7) and (8) of Section 27 and 27a of the Act be abolished.

“However, the Home Ministry is working together with the Attorney-General's Chambers to draft amendments for certain provisions under Section 27 of the Police Act so it would be in line with the provisions under the Federal Constitution,” said the report.

Regarding freedom of speech and information, Suhakam recommended the formation of a free and self-regulatory media council to resolve issues and monitor adherence to the industry's code of ethics.

The Government replied that it was important to ensure that the information and ideas conveyed did not cause tension and threaten national harmony.

“The concept of freedom of speech is not an absolute right or freedom. Conversely, it is dependent on several conditions under the Federal Constitution through Article (10)(2)(a) and other related laws,” said the report.

The Government said it would set up a media consultative council to better harmonise relations between the media and the Government, adding that it would act like a forum to exchange ideas and find a “win-win” approach.

“The Government is of the view that good journalistic practices are necessary in a country with many races, religions, culture and social backgrounds like Malaysia,” it said.

It added that laws such as the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 and Official Secrets Act 1972 were formed to ensure that these two rights were not misused.

Countries Want To Learn How Malaysia Handles Piracy

BAGAN DATOH, Aug 13 (Bernama) -- Several countries are interested in emulating the way Malaysia provides security for its trading ships in the Gulf of Aden in Somalia, Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi said.

He said that they were impressed that Malaysian security personnel had captured Somali pirates who had tried to hijack a Malaysian tanker in February this year.

Ahmad Zahid said that representatives of the countries had met Chief of Navy Admiral Tan Sri Abdul Aziz Jaafar to discuss the handling of pirates at the gulf.

Malaysia launched the Ops Fajar (Dawn Operation) in August 2008 to protect Malaysian trading vessels against pirates in the Gulf of Aden.

Ahmad Zahid said that Ops Fajar had saved several billion ringgit of goods from pirates.

Beleaguered Tsu Koon challenged to open debate

Imagine, Koh Tsu Koon has slammed those who have called for his removal as Gerakan head honcho and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department.
 
“I feel enough is enough. These are disgruntled people with baseless and nonsensical allegations,” Tsu Koon was reported as saying in The Star.

Fighting words, indeed, from the man who sat quietly and buat don’t know when some well-connected $$$-eyed jokers tried to hoist the PGCC onto unsuspecting Penangites. The same guy who allowed the seeds of the Buah Pala controversy to be sown during his watch.

Koh called his critics discredited “political frogs”. He also lashed out at Penang Chinese Chamber of Commerce president Tan Kok Pin, saying the latter was blind or senile for not recognising the development during Koh’s 18 years at the helm in Penang.

Now, Kok Pin has responded calling for an open debate with Koh, The Star has just reported. “I do not have any personal agenda when I said earlier that Koh had not done anything during his 18 years as Penang chief minister.

Ooh la la… let the show begin…

Battle of Kampar: In Defence of Malaya

Battle of Kampar: In Defence of Malaya

by Mr. Chye Kooi Loong PMP
Compiled and Published by Khalsa Diwan Malaysia

Dedicated in the memory and a Tribute to the brave men who sacrificed their lives for a cause.

The Malayan Campaign (1941 – 1942) fought by the British and Indian troops was a chain of disasters. The British, Indian and Gurkha regiments were under trained and under armed. The British has underestimated the Japanese invaders. They faced a superior well-trained Japanese army veterans who had fought in Manchuria in 1931 and the Sino Japanese war (1937 – 1945). The British, Indian and Gurkha regiments had no training in jungle warfare and some Indian regiments had hardly six months of training in the rugged cold and hot North West frontier of India.

 

In spite of such adverse conditions the defenders fought a gallant losing battle of “stand and retreat”. In Kedah, the 11th Indian division was badly mauled in Jitra and Gurun. The division lost men, equipment, food and arms as the Japanese tanks drove through the weak defenses. The 6th and 15th Indian Brigades had to be amalgamated as t he 6/15th Indian brigade because of heavy losses in men and arms. The 1st Leicester Regiment and the 2nd East Survey Regiment merged to form the one and only one British Battalion who won their honor and battle honours at the epic Battle of Kampar (30th of December 1941 to 2nd of January 1942). The 1/8th Punjab Regiment merged with the 2/9th Jat Regiment to form Jat/Punjab Regiment.

The men reached Ipoh on the 19th and 20th December 1941, where they were refitted with new weapons and equipment. Two days later the refitted 6/15th Indian Brigade moved to Kampar by train and road. Kampar was chosen by Lt. General  Arthur Percival, the G.O.C, Malaya Command to make ten days stand to hold the Japanese advance as the three low ridges just a mile north of Kampar town command the main road approach and also the railway line on the flat tin mining terrain was ideal ground for the British to utilize the superior British artillery.

The 28th Indian Brigade guarded the Kuala Dipang-Sahum road to the east of Gunong Bujang Melaka (4070ft). The 12thy Indian Brigade held the Jeram to Kuala Dipang iron bridge section (now a little up-stream of the present new brigade). There was heavy fighting on the 28th and 29th December 1941 for the vital Kuala Dipang iron bridge over Sungai Kampar.

The Japanese supported by 14 medium tanks made a frontal attack from Jeram and due to the lack of anti-tank guns ; the 12th Indian Brigade had no alternative but to withdraw. The 28th Indian Brigade withdrew to the Sungai Siput to Sahum road. When the rear of the 12th Indian Brigade crossed the Kuala Dipang iron bridge, it was blown up and due to the heavy rain, only the middle span was destroyed. The British artillery was ranged on the iron bridge and the Japanese were delayed for few hours. The defense of Kampar was left to the 6/15th Indian Brigade and the forward defense was held on the three low ridges north of Kampar. The defenders had only eighty days to dig trenches and artillery positions to face the powerful Japanese assault.

Luckily the Japanese tanks were held up by the damaged Kuala Dipang iron bridge and the five bridges further down the road to Kampar. The strong British artillery made up of the powerful 25 pounders and the mortars kept the Japanese from repairing the dynamited bridges. For the first time in the campaign, the British artillery bombardment frustrated the Japanese advance. During the daytime from 30th December 1941 to 2nd January 1942 the Japanese planes bombed and machine-gunned the British positions on the two forward ridges.

To the west of Kampar, 1/14th Punjab Regiment, 2/16th Punjab Regiment and 3/16th Punjab Regiment held the railway line from Malim Nawar to Tronoh Mines. This area now known as Bandar Baru was strongly covered by the British artillery of 25 pounders and howitzers (88th Field Regiment RA). To the east of Gunung Bujang Melaka (4070ft) was the 28th Indian Brigade of 2/1st, 2/2nd and 2/9th Gurkha Rifles supported by the strong 155 Field Regiment RA.

The main road defense position were covered by the British Battalion and 6/15th Brigade reserve the Jat/Punjab Regiment. From 30th to 31st December 1941the main defenses of the British Battalion were attacked by Japanese infantry and many Japanese died in their unsuccessful bonsai charges on the forward slope of Thompson Ridge. The eastern flank failed because the Japanese underestimated the tough fighting of the Gurkhas and many Japanese died when the gallant men from Nepal used  the deadly kukri with success. On the west the Japanese were caught in the heavy saturation bombardment of the 88th and 122nd Field Artillery RA. The Japanese were caught in the swamps and deep mining pools and many died by drowning.

Lt. General Matsui the Commanding Officer of the 5th Division from Hiroshima had to press the attack against the main road defenses of the British Battalion who withstood continuous bombing and strafing and mortaring from the Japanese units. On the 1st of January, 1942 the Japanese infantry had reserves and all units were replaced by fresh reinforcement.

The British and Indian defenders did not have reserves to replace the wounded and the tired defenders. The Japans pressure was telling on the tired and exhausted defenders of the British Battalion. They held on grimly and on the 2nd of January 1942 , the Japanese launched two strong assaults on the eastern flank of the British Battalion. Some eastern trenches were overrun and the Japanese were occupying the trenches. Two British reserve companies made two counter attacks to reoccupy the lost trenches. The British in spite of causalities retook the trenches and drove out the Japanese. Later in the afternoon the Japanese applied great pressure after heavy Japanese artillery bombardment, the British defenders had to give up as they were short of ammunitions and mounting causalities.

The Japanese occupied  the trenches . Brigadier Moorhead the Commanding Officer of the 6/15th Indian Brigade ordered the Jat/Punjab Regiment to counter charge to remove the Japanese on the east. The first Jat/Punjab Company suffered badly and had to give up. Later at about 5:00pm. Captain Graham assisted by Lt.Lamb led a company of Sikhs and Muslims to counter charge the Japanese postions.

Captain Graham  led his company up Greed Ridge and gave his final instructions. All men were given two drams of rum and then he ordered them to fix the 18 inch steel bayonets to the rifles. He led the group down the trench from Green Ridge. Captain Graham told his men that the attack must succeed and the honour of 1/8th Punjab Regiment depended on it. He wished them all the best and the counter charge up the rear of Thompson Ridge started.

Captain Graham and Lt. Lamb led their men to their desperate venture. From the very start, the brave attack was greeted by Japanese devastating fire and brave men fell like ninepins. Lt. Lamb was among the first to be killed in the hail of machine gun fire. However the second line inspired by Captain Graham’s example shouted their battle cries.

The bearded Sikh warriors yelled the blood curdling cry of “Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal”and the Mussulman shouted “Ya Ali”. The front line Japanese trenches were breached and close hand to hand combat with shining bayonets proved the tall Sikhs superior to the short Japanese. They continued their braved counter – charge like men possessed. Captain Graham was everywhere giving exhortation to his inspired men.

The Sikhs and Gujars succeeded in dislodging the second line of Japanese. Undeterred by heavy causalities Captain Graham by now wounded urged his men onwards to clear the third line . His gallant company was by now depleted in strength and weapons . He led his men for the final assault and before he reached the Japanese third line of trenches  a Japanese trench mortar bomb fell into the trench and blew off both his legs below the knees. Mortally wounded, Graham Sahib shouted encouragement to his few Sikhs and Gujars, kneeing on his shattered stumps and hurling grenades as the remnants of the 41st Japanese Regiment fled towards the jungle.

The third line was held when Graham collapsed and was carried back to Green Ridge first aid post. He was attended by Captain Doctor Roy of the British Battalions and sent by ambulance to the 11th Indian Division hospital at Tanjong Malim. He died from loss of blood a badly damaged kidney and liver. After Graham’s counter-attack Brigadier Moorhead and Lt. Col. Morrison of the British Battalion reported that the Kampar positions could not be held indefinitely as news of new Japanese west flank landings had occurred at Telok Anson and at Bagan Datoh to the South West of Kampar.

Indeed the epic four day Battle of Kampar was throughout a tribute to the endurance and valour of the 11th Indian Division after its heartbreaking experience in North Malaya. The Battle of Kampar where the British, Indian and Gurkha troops fought extremely well showed that untrained troops are at least the equal to the Japanese troops.

“ To the struggle which had been going on at Kampar from dawn to dusk on the 2nd of January 1942 it is difficult to do full justice. It is a classic example of what can be achieved by grit and determination and it brought out the finest characteristic of the various troops engaged. There were the enemies repeated attempts to gain possession of Thompson and Green Ridges commanding positions which would have enabled them to enfilade our positions on the lower ground. The attacks were made with all the well known bravery and disregard of danger of the Japanese soldiers. There was the dogged resistance, in spite of heavy losses by men of the British Battalions and their supporting artillery and finally when the enemy had captured a key position and the battalion reserves were exhausted, there were the traditional counter-charges by the men of Jat/Punjab Regiment. The final charge of the Sikhs and Gurkhar of the 1/8th Punjab Regiment. Through a tremendous barrage of trench mortars and machine gun fire. The gallant men went let by their Company Commander Captain John Graham, until he fell mortally wounded. Their cheering rose to a roar, “Bole So Nihal, Sat Sri Akal” as they charged. The situation was completely restored buy only 30 men of this gallant company remained. The Battle of Kampar had proved our trained troops whether they were British or Indian, were superior man for men to the Japanese troops.

Lt. General Arthur Percival CB.DSO.OBE.MC. G.O.C Malaya Command 1941 – 1942