Operation Radak

Operation Radak
	Part of the Communist insurgency in Malaysia (1968–1989)
Date	14–18 May 1971
Location	Kulim District, Kedah5°25′N 100°34′E / 5.417°N 100.567°E
Result	Malaysian victory
Belligerents
Malaysia	Malayan Communist Party
Commanders and leaders
Lt. Kassim Abdul Kadir; Looi Kum Chung	Unknown †
Units involved
RMA 3rd Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment; ;	MNLA
Strength
12	30–40
Casualties and losses
3 wounded	7 killed

The Operation Radak was a military operation carried out by the Malaysian Armed Forces between 14 and 18 May 1971 in the Bukit Besar area of Kulim District, Kedah.^[4]^[5] The operation targeted the 8th Assault Unit of the Malayan Communist Party (MCP), which had long evaded detection and was active in the region during the Communist insurgency in Malaysia (1968–1989).^[6]^[7]

Background

The MCP’s 8th Assault Unit had eluded government forces for years by constantly moving and using the dense jungle terrain.^[8] On 11 May 1971, intelligence gathered by the Special Branch and local informants indicated that seven communist insurgents, including two women, would gather and set up a camp at Bukit Besar. This information prompted the Malaysian Army to launch a coordinated strike.^[1]

Operation

The operation was executed by the 3rd Battalion of the Royal Ranger Regiment (RRD) under the command of Lieutenant Colonel Looi Kum Chung.^[9]^[10]^[11] A team of 12 soldiers led by Leftenan Muda Kassim Abdul Kadir was assigned to lead a search-and-attack mission supported by a cordon group to trap the insurgents.^[12]

The assault resulted in the deaths of seven communist fighters, including two women, and the capture of their weapons and documents.^[12] Three Malaysian soldiers were wounded in the encounter. The precise execution and effective use of jungle warfare tactics contributed to the operation’s success.^[13]^[14]^[15]

Recognition

For his bravery and leadership, Leftenan Muda Kassim Abdul Kadir was awarded the Pingat Gagah Berani (PGB).^[16] Ranger Mereng ak Imang, who fought alongside him, also received the PGB for gallantry.^[17]^[18]

References

^ ^a ^b Lt Col Mohd Azzam bin Hanif Ghows (Rtd) (2014). Reminiscence of Insurrections: Malaysia's Battle Against Terrorism 1960–1990. Kuala Lumpur: Wangsa Zam. pp. 274–279. ISBN 978-967-11122-0-5.
^ Chan, Francis; Wong, Phyllis (16 September 2011). "Saga of communist insurgency in Sarawak". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.
^ Cheah Boon Kheng, The Communist Insurgency in Malaysia, 1948–1990, University of Auckland Press, 2003. [1]
^ Cheah Boon Kheng pp. 65-71
^ Hack, Karl (2001). Defense and Decolonization in Southeast Asia. Yale University Press.
^ Lim, Ida (20 September 2013). "Open door to Chin Peng's ashes since Malay terrorists also buried here, says MCA". Malay Mail. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2015.
^ Karl Hack and Kevin Blackburn, Did Singapore Have to Fall?, Routledge, 2001. [2]
^ Abdullah, Robert Rizal (2008). My Adventure. University of Michigan: Metier Books. p. 95.
^ Khoo, Kay Kim (1970–1986). The Malaysian Armed Forces. Archipelago Press.
^ Hack, Karl (1998). Military Tactics in Malaysia. Oxford University Press.
^ Ramses, R. (2010). Jungle Warfare and Insurgency. Routledge.
^ ^a ^b Peng 2003, p. 465.
^ "History 1st Royal Malaysian Rangers | PDF".
^ Ariffin, Sulaiman (2011). Military History of Malaysia. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.
^ Corbett, Robin (1986). Guerrilla Warfare: from 1939 to the present day. London: Orbis Book Publishing Corporation. ISBN 978-0-85613-469-2.
^ Navaratnam 2001, pp. 75.
^ "Darjah Kebesaran Angkatan Tentera". Official Portal: Malaysian Army (in Malay). Malaysian Army. Retrieved 21 April 2021.
^ Abdullah, Shad (1987). Security and Insurgency in Malaysia. University of Malaya Press.

[reminiscences_of_insurrection-1] Lt Col Mohd Azzam bin Hanif Ghows (Rtd) (2014). Reminiscence of Insurrections: Malaysia's Battle Against Terrorism 1960–1990. Kuala Lumpur: Wangsa Zam. pp. 274–279. ISBN 978-967-11122-0-5.

[chanwong-2] Chan, Francis; Wong, Phyllis (16 September 2011). "Saga of communist insurgency in Sarawak". The Borneo Post. Archived from the original on December 24, 2013. Retrieved 10 January 2013.

[3] Cheah Boon Kheng, The Communist Insurgency in Malaysia, 1948–1990, University of Auckland Press, 2003. [1]

[cbk-4] Cheah Boon Kheng pp. 65-71

[5] Hack, Karl (2001). Defense and Decolonization in Southeast Asia. Yale University Press.

[6] Lim, Ida (20 September 2013). "Open door to Chin Peng's ashes since Malay terrorists also buried here, says MCA". Malay Mail. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved 20 March 2015.

[7] Karl Hack and Kevin Blackburn, Did Singapore Have to Fall?, Routledge, 2001. [2]

[8] Abdullah, Robert Rizal (2008). My Adventure. University of Michigan: Metier Books. p. 95.

[9] Khoo, Kay Kim (1970–1986). The Malaysian Armed Forces. Archipelago Press.

[10] Hack, Karl (1998). Military Tactics in Malaysia. Oxford University Press.

[11] Ramses, R. (2010). Jungle Warfare and Insurgency. Routledge.

[FOOTNOTEPeng2003465-12] Peng 2003, p. 465.

[13] "History 1st Royal Malaysian Rangers | PDF".

[14] Ariffin, Sulaiman (2011). Military History of Malaysia. Institute of Southeast Asian Studies.

[15] Corbett, Robin (1986). Guerrilla Warfare: from 1939 to the present day. London: Orbis Book Publishing Corporation. ISBN 978-0-85613-469-2.

[FOOTNOTENavaratnam200175-16] Navaratnam 2001, pp. 75.

[17] "Darjah Kebesaran Angkatan Tentera". Official Portal: Malaysian Army (in Malay). Malaysian Army. Retrieved 21 April 2021.

[18] Abdullah, Shad (1987). Security and Insurgency in Malaysia. University of Malaya Press.

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