He had been there, some 74 years earlier, fighting in the Battle of Pasir Panjang against invading Japanese forces. It was always going to be an emotional return to Bukit Chermin for the man who had fought, bled and lost so much.

But the sight of the shoreline, where he had seen an Allied ship being sunk before his eyes and dozens drowning in the open sea was too much to bear.

Ujang’s pain was difficult for his friend Capt (rtd) Awal Nordin to witness.

“I saw him as a father. Every time we met, he would take my hand and place it against his cheek. I will miss him dearly,” said Awal.

Private Ujang, who served with the 1st Battalion Royal Malay Regiment (1RMR), was the last surviving veteran of the Battle of Pasir Panjang. He died on Tuesday from Covid-19 at the age of 100.

Awal told FMT of Ujang’s heroism and his daring escape from Singapore.

“The 1st Malay Regiment was based in Singapore, and when the Japanese invaded Malaya, the regiment was sent to fend them off.”

The battalion, which included another national hero, Lieutenant Adnan Saidi, first engaged the Japanese in the south of Terengganu.

“It was a losing battle,” said Awal. The Japanese onslaught continued and in the end, 1RMR and other Allied forces were pushed back to Singapore where a fierce battle for the island would take place.

“Eventually, Singapore fell. Lieutenant Adnan was killed and Pak Ujang was injured. Artillery fire had hit his rifle, blasting it to pieces sending shrapnel through his hands.”

The surviving soldiers in his battalion had a choice to either surrender as prisoners of war or take off their uniforms and try to blend in with civilians.

Awal said Ujang opted to pass off as a villager and was fortunate that a Malay family in Singapore took him in.

“A few months after the Japanese had taken control of Singapore, Ujang devised a way to escape the island to return to his hometown in Rembau, Negeri Sembilan.”

Under the cover of night, Ujang snuck into the Tanjong Pagar Railway Station and into the cargo compartment of a train headed for Malaya before making his way back to Rembau.

After the war, Awal said Ujang reported back for duty and served for a few years before joining the Prisons Department until he retired.

‘The Pak Ujang I knew’

Awal, a former member of the 1st Royal Malay Regiment, said he got to know Ujang some eight years ago when he heard from a friend of a World War II veteran in Seremban who was living on his own, his wife and children having all passed away.

“He was soft-spoken and an avid reader. He would read three newspapers every day. Whenever you see him, he will be reading.

“Pak Ujang was a heavy smoker too. When I met him, he smoked two packs of cigarettes a day. He was 92 then. A few years later he slowed down to a pack a day, but after he had a fall a few years ago, he stopped completely.”

Awal said prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, he would see Ujang at least once in two weeks, and along with other veterans, take him for an outing.

Most of the time, they would go out for a meal, as Ujang loved Negeri Sembilan delicacies particularly Masak Lemak Cili Padi and Ikan Goreng Berlada.

“But he also enjoyed satay and there were times he even wanted to go to Starbucks.”

Awal said he was happy that Ujang was given a fitting farewell with a military burial at the Royal Malay Regiment cemetery in Port Dickson.

“I wish to share what he told me once, ‘Look after the country we defended with our blood and our lives, do not destroy it’.”