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SARAWAK conferred the Pingat Perwira Negeri (PPN) on three former police officers this year, which was driven by a long-standing commitment to recognise those who fought directly against communist insurgents in the 1970s.
Head of State, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, said the state award was created to honour security personnel who had risked their lives in jungle operations and armed engagements, but were not formally recognised at the federal level due to administrative limitations within the police system at the time.
He said three recipients were awarded the PPN – Silver during the investiture ceremony on January 20, marking what he described as a meaningful step in acknowledging the sacrifices of Sarawak’s defenders.
“The award is given based on direct involvement, and these individuals were involved in fighting the communists in the 1970s,” he told Sarawak Tribune in an exclusive interview.
Wan Junaidi explained that although the recipients had served in active combat, they did not receive recognition from the federal government, prompting Sarawak to establish its own form of appreciation, particularly for veterans from the armed forces and police.
He said the issue had been close to his heart since the 1980s, when he served as chairman of the former police association and repeatedly raised the need to honour those who had served in dangerous operations.
“This has been my struggle for a long time. Since 1987, I have raised it, but it was never properly addressed. Each time it came up, it was then forgotten,” he said.
In 2014, when he became the Deputy Minister of Home Affairs, Wan Junaidi initiated the creation of a national medal, later approved by the federal government, to recognise police personnel who served during the Malayan Emergency (1948-1960 and 1969-1989) and the Sarawak Emergency (1952-1990).
The award, known as Pingat Jasa Pahlawan Negara (PJPN), was introduced as a special form of recognition, similar to Pingat Jasa Malaysia (PJM) awarded to members of the armed forces who served during the same period.
However, it did not specifically acknowledge individual acts of valour by police personnel in jungle operations during the Emergencies – a recognition Wan Junaidi had long aspired to see fulfilled.
Wan Junaidi said that when he became the Head of State in 2023, he felt a responsibility to turn that hope into reality.
“Those who fought, who risked their limbs and lives against the communists, should be given recognition. Even if it does not come with a specific allowance, it is still a symbol of appreciation from the state,” he said.
Remembering Awang Sepian’s leadership in Durin
The first recipient highlighted by Wan Junaidi was Inspector Awang Sepian Awang Juini, who served as a platoon commander during the Emergency years and later rose to the rank of Assistant Superintendent of Police.
He said Awang Sepian was involved in multiple engagements across Sarawak, including operations in Sibu, Kapit, Bintangor and Sarikei, under the 15th Battalion Police Field Force based in Sibu.
Wan Junaidi recalled one particular incident in 1970 during a company-level operation involving four platoons under the command of the late Datuk Amar Johnny Mustapha, when his own platoon triggered an initial engagement after walking into a communist trap.
“My platoon made the first engagement. We entered a communist trap, but we survived. We had also unknowingly entered a minefield, but most of the mines did not detonate and those that did caused no serious injuries,” he said.
It was then that Awang Sepian, positioned more than a kilometre away, reacted immediately upon hearing gunfire and set up an ambush route for insurgents fleeing the area.
“When Awang Sepian heard the shooting, he quickly organised an ambush. The communists who fled from our area later ran straight into it and five were shot dead,” he said, adding that the incident occurred in Durin, Sibu.
Despite the engagement’s significance, Wan Junaidi said it was never formally recognised due to delays in reporting during jungle operations.
“Sometimes reports only reached battalion headquarters two or three weeks later and only brief reports were submitted. That is why the incident was never properly recorded,” he said.
Anyang Inang’s discipline under fire
Wan Junaidi also spoke about Corporal Nelson Anyang Inang, who served as his section commander during an ambush in Tulai and Bintangor, where a policeman was killed and another was seriously injured.
He said Anyang demonstrated courage and composure during the firefight and later carried out follow-up operations that led to the arrest of several insurgents and the killing of one.
“Anyang showed courage, but he also showed discipline and composure under fire,” he said.
Wan Junaidi recalled giving Anyang strict instructions not to pursue beyond a set distance, citing the risk of accidental crossfire as another security unit was operating nearby.
“I told him, ‘You may follow up, but not more than one kilometre. You must return before six o’clock’. We did not want to shoot our own men, especially at night,” he recalled.
He said the operation in Tulai lasted two days, resulting in one death, one injury and the arrest of a suspected communist figure believed to have played a key role in operations in the Lower Rejang.
Agam and the elite jungle unit
The third recipient, Agam Galau, was described by Wan Junaidi as among the most skilled jungle operatives in the battalion, serving in a special 15-man reconnaissance unit.
He said the unit operated with minimal equipment, carrying only food and sleeping without tents, using ponchos as shelter.
“They went into the jungle without hammocks or tents. Only food. They were like commandos,” he said.
Wan Junaidi said Agam was regarded as a “jungle man”, trained to the level of elite trackers, and often served as the right-hand man of Johnny Mustapha.
He recalled Agam’s role in Muara Tebas during ‘Operation Hantam’, where a small section of 14 men faced more than 80 insurgents in a firefight that resulted in six communist casualties before reinforcements arrived.
“We were 14 men, and they were more than 80. We killed six before reinforcements came in about ten minutes,” he said.
Wan Junaidi also credited Agam’s alertness for preventing a potentially deadly friendly-fire incident involving an approaching army company at dusk.
“If we had fired, I would not be here today. It was Agam’s competence and alertness that stopped it. He realised the group was not communists, but the army,” he said.
A symbol of remembrance and gratitude
Wan Junaidi said Sarawak’s PPN award represents a state-level effort to honour bravery that may have been overlooked at the time and serves as a reminder of the sacrifices made by those who defended the state during a turbulent period.
He expressed hope that the recognition would carry lasting meaning, not only for the recipients but also for the wider community.
“This is a symbol of appreciation from Sarawak, especially for those who fought during that time,” he said.
Press Release, 02 May 2026
SEBUYAU, 2 Mei: Program Kembara D’Astana mencuri perhatian apabila Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar bersama isteri, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi hadir ke Majlis Wida’ Keberangkatan Haji di Masjid Al Muflihin, Sebuyau, malam ini. Majlis yang penuh makna tersebut menjadi simbol penghormatan dan doa kepada jemaah haji yang bakal berangkat menunaikan rukun Islam kelima. Program dimulakan dengan solat fardhu Maghrib yang diimamkan oleh Pegawai Agama Islam Bahagian Samarahan, Ustaz Bahrain Kawi bersama jemaah yang hadir. Selesai solat, bacaan surah Yasin berlangsung diikuti dengan tazkirah bertajuk ‘Mengejar Haji Mabrur’ yang disampaikan dengan penuh penghayatan. Tazkirah tersebut memberikan motivasi kepada jemaah yang bakal berangkat agar memperoleh haji mabrur dan diterima Allah. Acara penting dalam majlis tersebut adalah penyerahan cek berjumlah RM20,000 kepada pihak Masjid Al Muflihin sebagai tanda sokongan dan keprihatinan Tun Wan Junaidi dan isteri terhadap pembangunan masjid serta urusan ibadah haji di kawasan Sebuyau. Selepas solat Isyak, majlis diteruskan dengan program makan malam bersama masyarakat Sebuyau. Acara tersebut memberi ruang kepada masyarakat untuk berinteraksi dengan pemimpin sambil mengeratkan lagi tali silaturahim dalam suasana penuh keberkatan.-TVS
Press Release, 03 May 2026
SRI AMAN, 3 Mei: Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar dan isteri, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi meneruskan lawatan Kembara D’Astana hari ini ke Lingga. Rombongan Tun Wan Junaidi berangkat menggunakan bot persiaran ‘Damai Princess’ dari R.C Fisheries Wharf Sebuyau menuju ke Jeti Nelayan Lingga. Ketibaan Tun Wan Junaidi dan isteri disambut Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Lingga, Dayang Noorazah Awang Sohor, ADUN Bukit Begunan, Datuk Mong Dagang, Penasihat Pejabat Premier Sarawak, Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, serta Residen Sri Aman, Mahra Salleh. Setibanya di Lingga, Tun Wan Junaidi dan Toh Puan Fauziah berangkat menghadari Majlis Penyerahan Manuskrip Lingga dan Majlis Makan Tengah Hari di Dewan Masjid Al-Hana. Tun Wan Junaidi dan isteri turut singgah di Pameran Mini Salasilah Lingga – Banting catatan Abang Salim Abang Ali dan Bahan Warisan Lingga – Banting. Dalam majlis yang sama, Tun Wan Junaidi menerima bahan warisan Banting Lingga yang diserahkan wakil waris, Mantan Temenggong, Bohari Abang Mohd Zain. Selesai jamuan makan tengah hari, Tun dan isteri menunaikan solat Zohor di Masjid Al-Hana. Selepas selesai program Kembara D’Astana di Lingga, Tun Wan Junaidi dan Toh Puan Fauziah dijangka berangkat kembali ke Kuching dari Jeti Nelayan Lingga. Kembara D’Astana ini menjadi platform untuk Tun Wan Junaidi menjejak kasih berjumpa dengan ahli keluarga yang ada di Triso, Sebuyau dan Lingga serta penduduk tempatan. – TVS
Press Release, 03 May 2026
SRI AMAN, 3 Mei: Sifat kepimpinan yang tinggi dan nilai kekeluargaan yang dimiliki Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jafaar dan isteri, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi terserlah melalui penganjuran Kembara D’Astana. Menurut Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Lingga, Dayang Noorazah Awang Zohor, program lawatan yang melibatkan kawasan Triso, Sebuyau dan Lingga itu sangat signifikan kepada TYT Sarawak kerana kesemua tempat itu mempunyai nilai sentimental dan sejarah tersendiri bagi dirinya. “Melalui program ini Tun Wan Junaidi dapat menjejak kasih dan berjumpa dengan ahli keluarganya yang masih menetap di Triso, Sebuyau dan Lingga. “Tun Wan Junaidi juga pernah menjadi Ahli Parlimen Batang Lupar selama 14 tahun dan ini membuktikan beliau merupakan seorang pemimpin yang sentiasa dipercayai rakyat dan banyak membawa pembangunan di kawasan luar bandar sebelum ini,” katanya. Beliau berkata demikian ketika berucap di dalam Majlis Penyerahan Manuskrip Lingga dan Majlis Makan Tengah Hari bersama masyarakat Lingga hari ini. Turut hadir ADUN Bukit Begunan, Datuk Mong Dagang, Penasihat Pejabat Premier Sarawak, Datuk Amar Jaul Samion, serta Residen Sri Aman, Mahra Salleh. Dayang Noorazah menjelaskan, Kembara D’Astana juga memberi peluang kepada Tun Wan Junaidi dan isteri melihat sendiri landskap pembangunan dan lonjakan perubahan yang telah berlaku di kawasan Lingga hari ini, sekali gus beramah mesra dengan penduduk setempat yang teruja melihat sendiri Tun dan isteri. Selain itu, beliau turut memuji inisiatif Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) Cawangan Sarawak yang telah menganjurkan Pameran Mini Salasilah Lingga – Banting catatan Abang Salim Abang Ali dan Bahan Warisan Lingga – Banting bersempena majlis kali ini. “Di bawah kepimpinan Rektor UiTM Cawangan Sarawak, Profesor Dr. Firdaus Abdullah, telah berjaya menjalankan kajian ini, seperti yang dapat kita lihat di pameran mini sebentar tadi,” jelasnya. Tun Wan Junaidi dan Toh Puan Fauziah turut mengujungi pameran mini tersebut serta menerima penerangan daripada pihak UiTM Cawangan Sarawak. Dalam majlis itu, Tun Wan Junaidi telah menyerahkan replika cek sumbangan RM20,000 kepada Masjid Al-Hana. – TVS
Press Release, 02 May 2026
SEBUYAU, 2 Mei: Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar dan isteri, Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah Mohd Sanusi hari ini melawat Triso dan Sebuyau. Rombongan Tun Wan Junaidi berangkat menggunakan bot persiaran ‘Damai Princess’ dari Terminal Penumpang Kuching menuju ke Jeti Perikanan Triso. Ketibaan Tun Wan Junaidi dan isteri disambut Timbalan Menteri Belia, Sukan dan Pembangunan Usahawan Sarawak, Datuk Gerald Rentap Jabu, Ahli Dewan Undangan Negeri (ADUN) Beting Maro, Datuk Razaili Gapor dan Residen Betong, Datu Richard Michael Abunawas. Lawatan Kembara D’Astana bermula di Tanah Perkuburan Kampung Triso dan turut diselitkan bacaan tahlil ringkas serta bacaan doa arwah untuk Allahyarham Tun Anis Tuanku Bujang, Allahyarhamhamah Sharifah Ibon Tuanku Anis, Allahyarham Abang Sibo Abang Draup serta Allahyarham Abang Atep Abang Sibo. Seterusnya, Tun Wan Junaidi dan Toh Puan Fauziah berangkat meninjau tapak rumah lama (tempat kelahiran Tun) dan tapak telaga lama dan kemudian singgah di kediaman KK Awang Mos Sulaiman. Waktu tengah hari, Tun Dr Wan Junaidi dan Toh Puan Fauziah bergerak ke Masjid Al-Muhajirin Kampung Triso bagi menunaikan Solat Fardu Zohor. Selesai solat, Tun Wan Junaidi dan isteri menghadiri majlis makan tengahari bersama ahli keluarga dan masyarakat Kampung Triso. Program lawatan Tun Dr Wan Junaidi dan Toh Puan Fauziah diteruskan ke Sebuyau pada sebelah petang.-TVS
Press Release, 10 January 2026
KUCHING, 10 Januari – Kehadiran isteri Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd. Sanusi, memeriahkan Majlis Perasmian Penutupan Pesta Bubur Pedas Sarawak 2026 di Metrocity Matang, Kuching hari ini. Program anjuran Koperasi Perkumpulan Wanita Sarawak Berhad (KOPERWANIS) dan Persekutuan Perkumpulan Wanita Sarawak (PPWS) dengan kerjasama Institut Pendidikan Berterusan dan Pengajian Profesional (iCEPS) Universiti Teknologi MARA Cawangan Sarawak, bertujuan memartabatkan bubur pedas sebagai warisan kulinari ikonik negeri Sarawak. Toh Puan Fauziah turut meluangkan masa menyediakan bubur pedas dan beramah mesra bersama ahli KOPERWANIS serta peserta, mencerminkan keprihatinan beliau terhadap usaha memperkasa wanita dan ekonomi komuniti setempat. Penganjuran pesta itu bukan sahaja memelihara warisan makanan tradisional, malah menjadi platform memperkukuh jaringan usahawan wanita serta memperkasa peranan mereka dalam pembangunan sosioekonomi negeri. Para pelajar juga berpeluang memperoleh pengalaman dalam pengurusan komuniti, kerja lapangan, dan tanggungjawab sosial menerusi penglibatan dalam program berkenaan. Turut diadakan penyampaian hadiah kepada pemenang pertandingan bumbu bubur pedas, pertandingan masakan tradisional, serta pertandingan mewarna untuk warga emas dan kanak-kanak. Hadir sama pada majlis tersebut ialah Menteri Pembangunan Wanita, Kanak-Kanak dan Kesejahteraan Komuniti Sarawak, Datuk Seri Fatimah Abdullah.
Press Release, 10 May 2026
KUCHING, 10 Mei – Tuan Yang Terutama Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak, Tun Pehin Sri Dr. Haji Wan Junaidi bin Tuanku Jaafar bersama Yang Amat Berbahagia Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Fauziah binti Mohd Sanusi menzahirkan ucapan Selamat Hari Ibu kepada seluruh ibu yang sentiasa menjadi sumber kasih sayang, kekuatan dan pengorbanan dalam kehidupan sesebuah keluarga. Seorang ibu merupakan insan yang amat berjasa dalam membesarkan, mendidik dan membimbing anak-anak dengan penuh kesabaran serta keikhlasan. Segala pengorbanan yang dicurahkan oleh seorang ibu, sama ada dalam suka mahupun duka, merupakan jasa yang amat besar dan tidak ternilai harganya dalam membentuk keluarga yang harmoni dan sejahtera, zahir TYT Tun. Menurut TYT Tun, sambutan Hari Ibu sewajarnya menjadi medan untuk seluruh masyarakat menzahirkan penghargaan dan kasih sayang kepada insan yang telah banyak berkorban demi kebahagiaan keluarga. TYT Tun dan YABhg. Toh Puan turut mendoakan agar seluruh ibu sentiasa dikurniakan keafiatan, ketenangan jiwa serta dilimpahi rahmat dan keberkatan yang berpanjangan oleh Allah SWT. -TAMAT- Dikeluarkan: Astana Sarawak
Press Release, 02 March 2026
Did You Know? Department of Statistics Malaysia (DOSM) will conduct the Economic Census 2026 (BE2026). BE2026 is the sixth economic census, implemented every five years since 2000. The census aims to collect comprehensive data covering all economic activities in the country, including the wholesale and retail trade sectors. The implementation of BE2026 also covers business establishments as well as non-profit organisations. The data collected will serve as a vital reference to support more effective and sustainable national development planning. For more information, please visit the official Facebook page of the Department of Statistics Malaysia or access through the links below: Introduction to BE2026 Implementation of BE2026 Operations Objectives of BE2026