The Battle of Kanang in Korbu Forest Reserve, Sungai Siput
Witnessing the national hero, Warrant Officer I Kanang Anak Langkau, with his intestines exposed after being shot by attacking communist terrorists. This is an experience that will never be forgotten by the former Malaysian Army personnel from the 8th Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment (8 RRD).
This article recounts the battle that took place in the Korbu Forest Reserve, Sungai Siput, caused by communist terrorists in 1978. The battle resulted from an ambush while the 8th Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment (8 RRD), led by Kanang (a Sergeant at the time), was tracking and detecting the enemy during Ops Setia Khas in 1978. The incident occurred while the unit, which had an excellent record in tracking and detecting the enemy, was descending a trail on a hill surrounded by steep slopes on both sides in Tanah Hitam, Chemor. As the team of over 30 men followed the tracks found on the trail, they were suddenly startled by a loud explosion from behind. All team members immediately dropped to the ground and turned around, only to be shocked to see one of their members, Corporal Salleh, had stepped on a booby trap, severing his leg.
Suddenly, those in the open area were showered with enemy bullets from various directions. In the ensuing chaos, the leader of the 8th Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment (8 RRD), Kanang Anak Langkau, was hit by three shots from the enemy. At that moment, it was unimaginable to see the blood gushing from the wounds of their leader, whose intestines were exposed.
A bullet from behind struck his heart before piercing the hero's chest. Seconds later, two more shots from the front hit his urinary tract and damaged his left kidney. Seeing Kanang Anak Langkau covered in blood and lifeless, all team members accepted that their leader would die. Kanang Anak Langkau rubbed salt on his gunshot wounds and tied his shirt around his abdomen to prevent his intestines from spilling out. Kanang then injected morphine into his own arm and that of another member who had lost his leg to the booby trap. Although his body had been pierced by three bullets and his stomach was nearly torn open, he still had the strength to rise and return to the fight, personally killing five communist terrorists.
As a result of the three shots received by Kanang Anak Langkau, he had to be treated for a year in the hospital. That is an experience that will never be forgotten by the team serving in the 8th Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment (8 RRD), now known as 8 RRD Para. Kanang Anak Langkau survived and recovered after being treated following the battle that took place in the Korbu Forest Reserve, Sungai Siput.
There is no other soldier in Malaysian history like Kanang, a native of Sarawak, who was awarded the nation's two highest gallantry medals: the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) and the Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB). Kanang passed away at the age of 68 on January 3, 2013, due to a heart attack. Remember their struggle, young people; never forget their sacrifices in defending the nation!
