Jill menanti di rumah, suami berjuang demi keamanan

Jill Lawrence, a 81-year-old woman from Petaling Jaya, always hoped to be by her husband's side, Desmond Godfrey Lawrence, who had served in the Special Branch for over three decades. The Lawrence family lived in a state of uncertainty for years, waiting for their loved one to return from duty, unaware of when he would come home or if he would return safely.

Desmond, a former superintendent, spent three decades in the police force before retiring as a superintend. He had also been the deputy chief of the Special Branch in Perak. Even though Malaysia's independence was declared in 1957, the fight to ensure the country's safety continued. In the midst of World War II, members like Desmond risked their lives to combat communist guerrillas and maintain the safety enjoyed post-independence.

In the meantime, their families faced their own challenges, waiting in their homes without knowing when their loved ones would return or if they would return safe. Jill was one of those who went through the challenge of Desmond's absence. Desmond rarely shared details about his Special Branch operations, only occasionally providing glimpses of the danger he faced.

"He once asked me to pray and said, 'Jill, I don't know when I will come back. I think he was trying to tell me that he might die," Jill, 81, told FMT Lifestyle. The danger Desmond faced in operations is also detailed in the memoir of veteran Special Branch Paul Kiong. In March 1981, for example, a Special Branch team led by Desmond with Kiong and Inspector Sia Boon Chee hid in the dark while conducting a high-risk mission known as Operation Catfish.

It targeted five members of the Communist Party of Malaysia who were believed to be hiding in the jungle. Despite the high risk, they succeeded in capturing them. Desmond was known for his humane approach in returning captured communist members. He prioritized kindness and respect over vengeance. However, at home, Jill had no idea about her husband's duties.

She could only wait for Desmond to return and sometimes had to wait for several weeks. When Desmond's dangerous mission took him deep into the jungle, Jill raised her children and handled the family during his absence.