{
  "id": 4061294,
  "title": "What 20 years of border duty taught Corporal Wan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/what-20-years-of-border-duty-taught-corporal-wan-4061294",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-28T23:30:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/leisure/2026/08/29/what-20-years-of-border-duty-taught-corporal-wan"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Corporal Wan Mansor Wan Mahmood, now 74 years old, spent 20 years on Malaysia’s northern border, beginning his service at the age of 27 in 1979. Known as Corporal Wan, he guarded the border through various hotspots in Kelantan, including Rantau Panjang, Pengkalan Kubor, Bukit Lata, Alor Pasir, Beris Lalang, and Kusial. During his tenure, he faced basic living conditions, frequently rotating through four-hour shifts and remaining alert for any movement. Much of his work entailed dealing with smuggling operations, primarily involving rice shipments from Thailand. Wan recounted an incident where a lorry carrying three tonnes of rice had its driver and assistant apprehended, requiring the team to secure the vehicle swiftly to prevent the contraband from escaping. However, not all encounters were straightforward, and some groups were known for their aggressive behavior, sometimes brandishing pistols to intimidate authorities. The Golok River formed a significant part of Wan’s border experiences, where patrols, smuggling routes, and occasional explosions kept the personnel on high alert. Smuggling activities extended beyond rice to include clothing, fireworks, and household supplies, particularly during festive periods. Bad weather conditions, such as floods, could further complicate matters, as they made it harder for patrols to operate. The Golok River also contributed to an unsettling atmosphere during shifts, with explosions emanating from the other side of the river, causing personnel to remain vigilant. Over time, Wan became accustomed to living with this uncertainty, which became an integral part of his border duty experience. Among the many people he worked with, Wan emphasized the camaraderie he shared with his fellow soldiers, describing it as the most significant aspect of his time on the border. He missed not only the duty but also the fellowship with his comrades, recalling simple meals of instant noodles, dried fish, and eggs shared during their long and uncertain nights. Today, Corporal Wan leads a quieter life, having spent the past 24 years running a grocery store in Kampung Sri Kulim, Melor. Despite the significant change in his life, he still proudly flies the Jalur Gemilang outside his home every National Month, remembering the specific memories tied to his service, including sleepless nights, dangerous encounters, and the friendships he forged with his fellow soldiers.",
  "summary": "At 74, the retired serviceman still recalls sleepless shifts, armed smugglers and the friendships forged during two decades of guarding Malaysia’s northern frontier.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 2,
    "also_reported_by": [
      {
        "outlet": "Free Malaysia Today",
        "title": "What 20 years of border duty taught Corporal Wan",
        "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/28/what-20-years-of-border-duty-taught-corporal-wan",
        "published": "2026-08-28T23:30:00.000Z"
      }
    ]
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}