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APPENDIX II
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APPENDIX II
The build-up of the SAF was one of the most important projects in our nation-building.
The preparatory course, as the starting event to facilitate this, had to succeed at all costs.
The trainees’ dissatisfaction and unhappiness with the course reached the ears of Mr George
Bogaars, Permanent Secretary of MID. The course managers and MID decided to hold an
urgent meeting with us to find out what was wrong. This extraordinary meeting was held on
Wednesday, during the third week of the course. The panel who met up with the trainees
comprised LTC Vij, the Israeli advisors, Mr George Bogaars and other representatives from
the Ministry. The meeting started with LTC Vij giving us an opportunity to air our grievances.
Quite a number of trainees stood up and spoke feelingly but, made no offensive remarks against
the school or the Israeli advisors. The panel members listened attentively to every speaker
from the floor. The first speaker was CPT Edward Yong, l SIR Adjutant, who confidently
and deliberately delivered his point of view. He was puzzled as to why the training level was
so low and wondered whether in the preparation of the course, the competence and military
skill of the trainees were taken into consideration. Other Officers like LTA Cedric Klienman,
2 SIR Adjutant and CPT Jagrup Singh from l SIR, highlighted that SIR officers, SVC officers
and NCOs had gone through formal training at the military colleges as regulars, local officers’
courses as volunteers and NCO cadre courses. He added that while in service, many additional
relevant and special courses would have enhanced our military skills. Besides these, we were
involved in internal security operations during racial riots, anti-terrorist operations in Johore
and defence operations in Sabah. The trainees felt that the training that we had undergone so
far was not appropriate and, to some extent, not relevant. SVC LTA A Rajaratnam, aged 35
years, who had been teaching for 12 years, said that if the old SLR rifle could be replaced with
a new type, there would be no objections even having to learn the fundamentals. He went on
to emphasise that new techniques and applications to field craft would definitely create interest.
A few senior NCOs spoke in a regimental style. The key speaker was Staff Sergeant Harry
Lim who had been a weapons and drill instructor at FMC, Sungei Besi, Selangor. He expected
excitement with war-experienced Israeli advisors and had been looking forward to building up
an extraordinary fighting spirit and learning military skills. Up to now, he felt that the course
had been disappointing. The Police group was represented by DSP A Lawrence, aged 45 years.
He stated that the level of training was too low for them to participate in and felt that it was
not appropriate, taking into consideration their seniority, as they were DSPs and aged from
41 to 45 years. They felt awkward carrying out the basic field craft drills. They would prefer
a familiarisation course. The Israelis advisors, not being fluent in English was never an issue
of discomfort and it was not highlighted as a problem by the trainees. The panel on stage was
silent, listening intently. After hearing our comments and feedback for almost an hour, the
panel discussed quietly. LTC Vij then stood up and told us to go for a half-hour tea-break. We
assembled punctually after the break and LTC Vij announced that we would be given a course
break of two weeks with immediate effect. We were happy with the opportunity for a break
and left the room.
VIII. WHAT WENT WRONG