Former Soldier from Slim River Was the Model for the National Monument
The National Monument, or more commonly known as Tugu Negara, was completed on February 8, 1966, as a memorial and tribute to more than 11,000 national heroes who fell defending the country during World War I (1914–1918), World War II (1935–1942), and the Emergency (1948–1960).
Many may not be aware of the true and fascinating facts regarding this National Monument. In this article, orangperak.com aims to reveal the identity of the person behind the statue holding the Malaysian flag. For the loyal readers of orangperak.com, this 15-meter-tall bronze monument was designed by an Austrian sculptor named Felix de Weldon.
He was also the individual who built the USMC War Memorial in Virginia, United States, which is the tallest bronze group sculpture in the world, standing at approximately 23 meters.
USMC War Memorial
In reality, the idea to develop a monument originally emerged during efforts to sketch a warrior monument before Tunku Abdul Rahman made an official visit to Washington, USA, around 1961.
The first sketch for the National Monument was created in 1958 at Kem Gunung Bongsu, Penang, involving several soldiers from the 5th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (5 RAMD). The selection of soldiers to serve as models for the sketch was done randomly by the sergeant on duty. It was then that several soldiers in full uniform were chosen by the sergeant to be used as models. One of the individuals selected was a man named Zainal Buyung, a soldier born in Slim River, Perak.
Interestingly, Zainal Buyung was the initial model for the central statue holding the Malaysian flag for the National Monument. Those selected had to stand, lie down, and pose for hours while waiting for the sculptor to finish drawing the initial form of the monument. Zainal Buyung joined the 5th Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (5 RAMD) at the age of 20, and at such a young age, he was involved in several battles against communist terrorists, such as in Gunung Bongsu and Sungai Bakap, Penang.
Showing the action of him being the model holding the flag
This Slim River, Perak native has contributed much service and sacrifice to the country. He hopes that more of our younger generation today will re-evaluate the struggles of those who fell on the battlefield to stop the country's enemies, ensuring the comfort and ease we enjoy today. Come, young people, let us never disappoint those who fought to defend the country by failing to appreciate their struggles, hardships, and the bitterness they endured, which led to many of our soldiers being brutally killed.
Many may not know Zainal Buyung, but the memory of this father of seven—a national hero who defended the country—remains vivid as he recalls the harrowing moments of facing communists, including being shot several times.
