Adnan Saidi
| Adnan Saidi | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1915 Sungai Ramal, Kajang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, FMS |
| Died |
13 February 1942 (aged 27) Pasir Panjang, Singapore |
| Allegiance | Royal Malay Regiment |
| Years of service | 1933 - 1942 |
| Rank | 2nd Lieutenant |
| Unit | 7th Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 1st Malay Brigade |
| Battles/wars | Battle of Pasir Panjang |
| Awards |
Best recruit in the Malay Regiment (3 British medals) Star Medal , Defence Medal and War Medal |
Adnan bin Saidi, (1915 – 14 February 1942), was a Malayan soldier of the 1st Infantry Brigade which fought the Japanese in the Battle of Singapore. He is regarded by Malaysians and Singaporeans today as a hero for his actions on Bukit Chandu. His name is also the namesake for the Malaysian Infantry Fighting Vehicle (MIFV).
Personal life
Adnan was born at Sungai Ramal near Kajang, Selangor, a Muslim of Minangkabau descent. He was the eldest child in his whole family. His younger brothers, Ahmad Saidi and Amarullah Saidi, were also soldiers. Ahmad was killed in action after his ship, HMS Pelanduk, was sunk by the Japanese on route to Australia. Amarullah survived the war and now resides in Kajang, Selangor.
Adnan was married to Sophia Pakir, an Islamic religious teacher. She died in 1949. They had a daughter, who died soon after birth, and two sons: Mokhtar Adnan, who now lives in the state of Seremban, and Zainudin Adnan, who lives in the state of Johor.
| “ | My father did not talk a lot. He was a strict man and believed in discipline. He was always serious and fierce… yet had a good heart. There seemed to be a ‘light’ illuminating his face. - Mokhtar, Adnan's son | ” |
Battle of Pasir Panjang
Adnan led a 42-strong platoon from the Malay Regiment in the defence of Singapore against the invading Japanese. The soldiers fought at the Battle of Pasir Panjang, at Pasir Panjang Ridge in the Bukit Chandu (Opium Hill) area on 12–14 February 1942.[1] Although heavily outnumbered, Adnan refused to surrender and urged his men to fight on until the end. They held off the Japanese troops for two days amid heavy enemy shelling from artillery guns and tanks and chronic shortages of food, medical supplies and ammunition (on the last day of the battle, Adnan and his men were only left with a few hand grenades and had to fight off the Japanese soldiers with their bayonets and through brutal hand-to-hand combat. Adnan was shot but carried on fighting. After the battle was lost, the Japanese soldiers tied him to a tree and repeatedly stabbed him to death with their bayonets.[2][3]
Because of his actions Adnan is currently considered by Malaysians and Singaporeans today as a hero.[4] In the textbooks, he is also credited as the soldier who caught the disguised "Punjabi soldiers"[5] marching error in four abreast (Japanese marching style) instead of a line of three (British style of marching).[2]
Legacy
War Memorial
A war memorial plaque honouring Adnan and his Malay Brigade was erected in 1995 at Vigilante Drive, Kent Ridge Park.[6]
Portrayal in Film
Adnan was portrayed by actor Hairie Othman in the 1999 film Leftenan Adnan.[7] He was also portrayed by an unknown Malay actor in the TV series A War Diary. Aaron Aziz is the latest actor to have portrayed him in Life Story, which also covers his personal life.[8]
References
- ↑ The Battle of Pasir Panjang Revisited-MINDEF.gov.sg Archived 3 March 2016 at the Wayback Machine.
- 1 2 Lieutenant Adnan bin Saidi and The Malay Regiment Archived 12 November 2012 at the Wayback Machine.
- ↑ The Royal Malay Regiment
- ↑ "Adnan bin Saidi". Badass of the Week. Backroom Productions, Inc. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- ↑ "Lieutenant Adnan bin Saidi". Singapore Heroes. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- ↑ Sahid, Liza. "Biography - Lt. Adnan Saidi". Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- ↑ "Leftenan Adnan Saidi". Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- ↑ Life Story, Channel 5 12 September 2006. Retrieved on 18 September 2007.