Kuala lumpur: Nearly five decades ago, a Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) veteran lived through one of the most frightening chapters of his life, risking his life as an undercover operative inside the Communist Party of Malaya (CPM), where discovery could have meant a deadly encounter.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, Superintendent (R) Paul Kiong Sing Chu, aged 82, recounted one of his most perilous missions in the early 1980s. He was tasked with transporting three CPM members and faced a tense moment when approaching a police roadblock in Chemor, Ipoh. Kiong's quick decision to turn into a small lane before reaching the roadblock helped evade an exchange of gunfire, ultimately saving his life. This incident is just one of many narrated in his book, "The Communist Role I Played: Undercover During The 2nd Malayan Emergency (1968-1989)," which aims to educate younger generations on the sacrifices made by past security personnel.

For Major (R) Datuk Salehuddin Abd Muttalib, a particularly challenging episode occurred during a covert operation in Sarawak against the Indonesian Communist Party (PKI). During this mission, a PKI member, fatally wounded, greeted Salehuddin's team with a salam and recited the syahadah. The incident haunted Salehuddin for years, until he unexpectedly encountered a relative of the deceased, which left a lasting impression on him.

The police and Armed Forces veterans were among five speakers at the People Library: Behind the Missions: Untold Experiences from Veterans programme, attended by approximately 200 participants. The event, held in conjunction with Warriors' Day, was organized by the Malaysia Military History Tourism Association (MMHTA) and Taman Tugu, aiming to highlight the sacrifices of the nation's heroes and raise awareness among the younger generation.