Dataran pahlawan negara: The sacrifices of the seven soldiers who fell in the bloody Ulu Legong tragedy more than four decades ago were remembered again through the 2026 National Warriors' Day Parade held at Dataran Pahlawan Negara here today. With the theme "Remembering Service, Strengthening Defence", the ceremony, under the patronage of the Malaysian Army (TDM), expressed appreciation for the sacrifices of the national security forces since the Emergency and Confrontation eras, as well as reminding that peace does not come without priceless sacrifices.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim and his wife, Datuk Seri Dr Wan Azizah Wan Ismail, were present at the ceremony. Also present were Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail and Defence Minister Datuk Seri Mohamed Khaled Nordin, Armed Forces chief General Tan Sri Malek Razak Sulaiman and Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail.
The event began with the "Last Post" which saw the Jalur Gemilang lowered as a symbol of respect for the fallen national heroes. The climax of the ceremony featured the pantomime performance of "Darah Pahlawan Ulu Legong" which brought back the story of the sacrifice of seven security personnel who were killed in a battle with communist terrorists in Ulu Legong in Baling, Kedah on Oct 29, 1981.
Through an emotionally touching narrative, the story is depicted through the perspective of families awaiting the return of their sons but received their lifeless bodies and the grief of the parents who lost their children while carrying out their duties for the country. The performance was followed by the recitation of the poem 'Tujuh Perwira, Sebuah Tanah Air' which commemorates the names of the seven national heroes who died in the incident, namely Lance Corporal Hashim Sulaiman, Private Rosli Mat Nayan, Private Jamil Mahmud, Private Jamil Abdul Hamid, Private Md Mendeka Ismail, Private Mazlim Wasal and Private Mohd Khambali Mohd Sodeli, as well as their two surviving comrades, Private Md Said Adam and Private Md Shafie Kasim.
The poem, recited by Major Mohammed Ramlee Mustafa Kamal and Staff Sergeant Siti Nur Aini Jasni, exalted their sacrifice as a symbol of courage and fighting spirit that continues to be inherited by today's generation. Among the verses recited were: 'Ulu Legong bled yesterday, planting independence today, Ulu Legong bled yesterday, watering the peace that we inherited.'
The ceremony ended with the blowing of the 'Dawn Beat' which witnessed the Jalur Gemilang being raised again, symbolising the continuation of the struggle and the spirit to defend the country's sovereignty. The Prime Minister also took the time to convey his appreciation to Private Md Said Adam and the Commanding Officer of the 22nd Regiment of the Royal Malay Regiment (22 RAMD), Lt Col Hamzah Othman, as well as the relatives of the personnel involved in the Ulu Legong incident who were present at the historic ceremony filled with nostalgia.