The Bukit Jenalik operation Zol’aini will never forget

Sgt Maj Zol’aini Sabar reflects on the poignant memories from his years of service, particularly the operation he participated in at Bukit Jenalik in 2000. As a member of the 69 Commando, Zol’aini was one of 20 personnel deployed during Operation Subuh to apprehend the Al-Maunah militant group, who had stolen firearms and ammunition from a territorial army camp in Gerik and took refuge at Bukit Jenalik. The dense jungle and rubber plantations surrounding the area posed challenges, increasing the risk of ambush.

Among the team was Zahit Muslim, a former colleague of Zol’aini who was highly skilled in handling heavy weapons and booby traps. This added a layer of tension to the mission, as Zahit had security-force experience himself. The directive was clear: all 27 members of the group needed to be apprehended alive, with restraint being paramount. This emphasis on caution meant that every movement required meticulous planning and execution.

Despite the strict instructions, the operation resulted in the tragic loss of Detective Corporal R Sanghadevan and Malaysian Armed Forces commando trooper Mathew Medan. Zol’aini, now 68, recalled the lessons he learned from this challenging experience. He realized that in difficult situations, restraint and the prioritisation of human life sometimes required more than brute force. Those lessons, he believes, continue to resonate beyond the battlefield.

Zol’aini emphasizes the importance of remembering the responsibility that comes with such missions. He stresses the delicate balance between confronting threats and avoiding unnecessary loss of life, highlighting the need for unity and restraint. For a father of four, the most enduring lesson from Bukit Jenalik is the value of protecting one’s country with caution and unity, rather than solely relying on force.