Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa

Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa
image of the decoration
Awarded by Yang di-Pertuan Agong
Type	Order of Honour
Eligibility	Members of Malaysian Armed Forces and citizens
Awarded for	act of extreme bravery and valor
Status	Currently issued
Post-nominals	S.P.
Statistics
Established	29 July 1960
First awarded	1963
Last awarded	2001
Total awarded	28
Distinct recipients	Unlimited
Precedence
Next (higher)	None[1]
Next (lower)	Darjah Kerabat Diraja Malaysia[1]
Ribbon bar of the Honour

The Gallant Warrior or Grand Knight of Valour (Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa)^[2][3] is the highest federal award which can be presented in Malaysia. It was created on 29 July 1960 and was gazetted on 11 August 1969. The award is the highest ranking in the list of the Malaysian Federal Ranking of Awards, and is ranked higher than the Darjah Kerabat Diraja Malaysia (D.K.M.) awarded to Malaysian Royalty.

Criteria

The Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa is awarded to those Malaysians who have shown, "supreme courage and bravery in extraordinary and highly dangerous situations". The number of awards is not limited, and may be conferred to any eligible person, both civilian and military.^[4]

Entitlements

The Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa, as the highest Armed Forces Gallantry Award, is the highest in the order of precedence in the awards and decorations of the Malaysian Armed Forces. It is also the highest award of the Malaysian Federal Awards, outranking the awards which carry the title of Datuk, Tan Sri, or Tun.^[1]

The award does not carry any title and is not listed in the Federal Order of Precedence. Since 1990, the award does carry a monetary stipend. With the passage of the Sri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (Remembrance Allowance) Act, recipients and their families are entitled to a monetary allowance.^[4]

Living recipients of the decoration are paid an allowance of RM 400 per month. Those who had received the award prior to the passage of the act, were paid retroactively to the date of their award, but not any earlier than June 1983. The allowance ends upon the death of the recipient. A posthumous recipient's next of kin receives a lump-sum payment of RM 20,000.^[5]

Appearance

The medal pendant is made of silver. It is a crescent moon with the inscription Gagah Perkasa. Within arc of the moon is a fourteen-pointed star. An intricately designed clasp attaches the pendant to the ribbon. The medal's ribbon is royal yellow 1.5 inches wide with red stripes 1/8 inches wide.^[4]

Recipients

#	Rank	Name	Year	Notes
1	Special Constable	Veloo s/o Rajavelu	1963[6]	Royal Malaysian Police – the first recipient of Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa. Honored for bravery and community service, laying down his life in combating piracy in Klang in August 1962.[7]
2	Constable	Abu Bakar bin Ngah Wahab	1969[8]	Police Field Force – Killed in action in Betong, South Thailand on 15 August 1968.
3	Second Lieutenant	Abdul Razak bin Hussain d/a Husain bin Salleh	1971[9]	8th Battalion Royal Malaysian Rangers – Killed in action in Sendiawan, Sarawak, 1970.
4	Constable	Fong Thean Kit	1971[9]	Royal Malaysia Police – caught a notorious criminal that kill Const. Yeap Sean Hua in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur on 30 April 1971. Constable Fong was recognised for bravery in arresting an armed man on the wanted list. Despite the gunman killing his colleague and wounding Constable Fong, he managed to capture the dangerous suspect.[10]
5	Inspector	Gean Kartar Singh a/k Kean Singh	1971[9]	Penang Prison – prevent a break-out at Penang prison in 1970.
6	Warrant Officer 2	Lenggu anak China	1971[9]	1st Battalion Royal Malaysian Rangers – Killed in action in an ambush by communist terrorist in Tanjong Babi Batu, Song, Sarawak on 20 January 1971. Even though the enemy outnumbered the Security Forces, and having managed to destroy the forward boat, the fighting spirit of Warrant Officer 2 Lenggu anak China was not affected. In fact, it had the opposite effect. With determination and a very high spirit, in the highest traditions of the Ranger Corps, he launched a determined assault single handedly against the enemy. He managed to kill 4 of the enemy. In this action, Warrant Officer 2 Lenggu anak China fell beside the enemies he had killed.
7	Corporal	Yeap Sean Hua	1971[9]	Royal Malaysia Police - Killed by armed criminal during a crime prevention round in Setapak, Kuala Lumpur on 30 April 1971.
8	Corporal	Ngalinuh Bala alias Kilah Atu	1972[11]	Royal Malaysia Police – battle with communist terrorist in Sibu, Sarawak on 29 April 1972. While escorting explosives along Jalan Ulu Oya, Mubal, Sarawak with four of his men, Ngalinuh and his men were attacked by terrorists. Fighting back, Ngalinuh managed to injure and capture one of his attackers while driving the rest away, Ngalinuh sustained a near fatal knife wound to the chest in hand to hand armed combat, and survived.[10]
9	Constable	Etin a/k Bijang	1972[11]	Royal Malaysia Police – Battle with Communist terrorist in Sibu, Sarawak on 29 April 1972.
10	Captain	Mohanachandran s/o Velayuthan	1972[11]	4th Battalion Royal Malaysian Rangers – killed in action in Ulu Kinta, Perak, 1971.
11	Trooper	Rasli bin Buang	1972[11]	1st Special Service Regiment (Commando) – killed in action in Chemor, Perak on 6 July 1971.
12	Inspector	Syed Mohd Mokhtar bin Syed Zubir Barakhbah	1972[11]	Police Field Force – ambush by communist terrorist at Malaysian – Thailand border on 11 August 1971. On 11 August 1971, Mokhtar was leading four of his men on a patrol along the Malaysia-Thai border. Ambushed by terrorists, Mokhtar was the only survivor of the attack and had managed to kill one of the attackers.[10]
13	Captain	Hamid bin Awang	1973[12]	2nd Battalion Royal Malaysian Rangers – Ops Marcup 1 in Lundu, Sarawak, 7 April 1973. Based on intelligence gathered indicating that a force of 40 to 50 communist terrorist would converge on Gunung Pueh, "D” Company of 2 Royal Malay Regiment led by Captain Hamid was tasked in a search and destroy mission. On 7 April 1973, Captain Hamid and his company detected a Communist encampment. Captain Hamid organised his company for an assault on the camp. Captain Hamid fired an M79 grenade round to mark the start of the attack and rush into the Communist Terrorist camp. In the heat of battle, a communist terrorist tried to shoot down one of Captain Hamid's men. Captain Hamid immediately rushed to the terrorist and hit the terrorist in the neck with the M79 grenade launcher. Captain Hamid's company scored 3 kills and captured 3 enemy weapons, as well as ammunition and assorted equipment. Captain Hamid's company suffered 1 KIA. Captain Hamid was awarded the SP on 6 June 1973.
14	Chief Inspector	Chin Chin Kooi	1973[12]	Royal Malaysia Police – Killed in action when a notorious criminal broke in his house on 12 July 1972. On that day at 9:00 p.m. treacherous enemies had gate-crashed a residence. C/Insp. Chin was shot point blank range by two pistols. Before breathing his last breath, he was still courageous enough to return fire at the enemies. The late C/Insp. Chin had served in the police force for 21 years.
15	Inspector	Reggie anak Deli	1973[12]	Police Field Force – killed 6 communist terrorist during a battle in Bintulu, Sarawak, 10 April 1973. While leading a 6-man Police Field Force on 10 April 1973, his unit tracked down and confronted 14 communists travelling in a boat along Sungai Kemena in Sebauh, Bintulu. In the ensuing 20-minute gun battle, despite being outnumbered, Reggie and his men killed six of the insurgents, captured the rest, and seized seven shotguns, 13 bullets, medical supplies and important documents belonging to the insurgents. Reggie joined the police force in 1961, and retired following a stroke in 1986.[13]
16	Second Liutenant	Abdul Hamid bin Ismail	1975[14]	3rd Battalion Royal Malay Regiment – Killed in action during operation in Baling, Kedah on 8 September 1973.
17	Constable	Othman Ahmad	1975[14]	Royal Malaysia Police – ambush by 6 wanted criminal in Chuping, Perlis on 10 January 1974. He manage to kill one of them.
18	Constable	Nuing Saling	1976[15]	Police Field Force – killed in action during a battle with communist terrorist near Sungai Setabau, Sibu, Sarawak on 6 April 1975.
19	Sergeant	Kanang anak Langkau	1981[16]	8th Battalion Royal Malaysian Rangers – he was the only recipient of both Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa and Pingat Gagah Berani. Following the death of a soldier in the Tanah Hitam area of Perak in an engagement with communists on 8 February 1980, the Unit Combat Intelligence Squad (UCIS) of 8th Battalion Royal Rangers under the leadership of Sergeant Kanang anak Langkau was tasked to seek and destroy the group. They tracked the enemy over difficult terrain for 11 days. On 19 February 1980, at around 1500 hours, his platoon managed to estimate the location of the enemy, who were close by. Kanang's group was mistaken as they were already within the enemy's perimeter, which they realised when they found a communications cord connecting the sentry outpost to the main force. Kanang, 8 metres from the enemy sentry position, launched an attack to his right flank. It then became apparent that the main force lay to the left. They assaulted the left and routed the enemy taking one casualty and killing five communists. One soldier was seriously wounded and Kanang himself took three rounds but survived and eventually returned to active duty retiring as a Warrant Officer 1. Kanang anak Langkau was conferred the "Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa" for valour in decimating the enemy on 3 June 1981.
20	Acting Major	Zainal Abidin bin Abdul Rashid	1982[17]	17th Battalion Royal Malay Regiment – killed in action at Ops Gubir II, 1976.
21	Lance Corporal	Saimon Tarikat	1983[18]	Combat Intelligence Unit – killed in action in Kuala Klawang, Negeri Sembilan, 1983.
22	Inspector	Paul Kiong	1983[18]	Royal Malaysia Police – Inspector with Police Special Branch in Ipoh, part of several operations to cripple communist terrorist between 1966 and 1989. This involved infiltrating the organisation, operating in the jungle, capturing the terrorists alive as well as being involved in direct confrontations with them. He was conferred the SP on 1 June 1983. He retired as a Superintendent of Police in 1997.
23	Inspector	Sia Boon Chee	1983[18]	Royal Malaysia Police - Inspector with Special Branch in Ipoh - part of several operations to cripple communist terrorist between 1966 and 1989. These operations required him to gather intelligence by infiltrating enemy lines, operating in thick jungle, capturing terrorists alive and engaging them in direct battle. He was awarded the SP on 1 June 1983. He retired with the rank of DSP in 1994. He read law the following year and is currently a practising lawyer.
24	Mr.	Jails bin Ibrahim	1985[19]	Civilians – murdered in Hong Kong, 1983 while investigating the BMF scandal, the only civilian to received the award to this date. A former student of the Royal Military College, Jalil was an assistant general manager for Bumiputra Finance Berhad. He was killed in Hong Kong in July 1983 while investigating a case involving the fraudulent award of RM2.5 billion (then) in loans by Bumiputra Finance Berhad to the Carrian Group helmed by Malaysian businessman, George Tan. The case received wide coverage as several Malaysian politicians were involved. The Carrian Group's spectacular collapse the same year was also to become Hong Kong's largest bankruptcy.
	Captain	Narendran Indi Shanmugam	1986	On the 10th day of their mission Capt. Indi and his squad of 10 Rangers were ambushed by a communist terrorist group that outnumbered them 40 to 10 personnel. They walked into the ambush as a 30 calibre machine gun opened fire on their position. Capt. Indi and his men formed a two line retreat wall to fall back alternating suppressive fire until the unit would be out of range of the enemy's line of fire. During this manoeuvre the unit lost 2 men kia, instantly and one more injured as Alpha team ARC1 came under murderous fire. Capt Indi had to face a wall of bullets to go back for his injured man. He got him over his shoulder and commenced to run back to safety but a stray bullet found its mark punching through the injured soldier and piercing Capt.Indi in the middle of his back, luckily the AK47 round missed all his major organs coming to rest after chipping his rib which prevented it exiting his body. Despite this near fatal injury Captain Narendran Shanmugam rallied his remaining 7 Rangers of Alpha team ARC1 and flanked the 40 communist insurgents, successfully eliminating the entire enemy outfit and securing the IED's that was intended to destroy an allied air force base in a secured location which would have resulted in heavy allied losses numbering 1000 airmen deployed at the base at that time and an undisclosed number of high tech aircraft worth billions of dollars in US currency. Captain Narendran Indi Shanmugam's actions was awarded the medal of Knight of Valour (pahlawan gagah perkasa ) the three brave Rangers of Alpha Team ARC1 were also awarded the same medal posthumously. This award is recognised by the Commonwealth countries and is equivalent to the Australian Victoria Cross. The members of this Elite outfit, the Australian SASR (Special Air Services Regiment) were of the Airborne Rangers Commandos ARC1 Alpha Squadron Royal Rangers 4th Regiment.
25	Corporal	Mat Aznan bin Awang	1994[20]	Malaysian Battalion in Mogadishu, Somalia – killed in action. While serving with the United Nations UNOSOM II force in Somalia, Corporal Mat Aznan was killed in action during the Battle of Mogadishu.[21]
26	Corporal	Nasaruddin bin Che Yeop	1998[22]	Federal Reserve Unit, Royal Malaysia Police – killed during riot by illegal immigrants at Semenyih Detention Centre on 26 March 1998. [23][24]
27	Deputy Superintendent	Abdul Razak bin Mohd Yusof	2001[25]	Royal Malaysia Police – Sauk Incident, 6 July 2000.
28	Lieutenant General	Zaini Mohamad Said	2001[25]	Malaysian Army – Sauk incident, 6 July 2000.

References

1. "SUSUNAN KEUTAMAAN DARJAH KEBESARAN, BINTANG DAN PINGAT PERSEKUTUAN". Bahagian Istiadat & Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Retrieved 28 March 2013. (Malay)
2. "Grand Knight of Valour". Philatelynews.com. 31 July 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
3. "Grand Knight of Valour". Pos.com.my. 31 July 2010. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
4. "Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa". Yang di-Pertuan Agong. Perpustakaan Negara Malaysia. Retrieved 28 March 2013. External link in |work= (help)
5. "ri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (Remembrance Allowance) Act 1990." (PDF). THE COMMISSIONER OF LAW REVISION, MALAYSIA. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
6. "SENARAI PENUH PENERIMA DARJAH KEBESARAN, BINTANG DAN PINGAT PERSEKUTUAN TAHUN 1963." (PDF) (in Malaysian). Bahagian Istiadat & Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
7. "SUSUNAN KEUTAMAAN DKBPP" (PDF) (in Malaysian). Bahagian Istiadat & Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
8. "SENARAI PENUH PENERIMA DARJAH KEBESARAN, BINTANG DAN PINGAT PERSEKUTUAN TAHUN 1969." (PDF) (in Malaysian). Bahagian Istiadat & Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
9. "SENARAI PENUH PENERIMA DARJAH KEBESARAN, BINTANG DAN PINGAT PERSEKUTUAN TAHUN 1971." (PDF) (in Malaysian). Bahagian Istiadat & Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
10. Said, Sabri (13 November 1990). "Police heroes get $17,500 each". The New Straits Times. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
11. "SENARAI PENUH PENERIMA DARJAH KEBESARAN, BINTANG DAN PINGAT PERSEKUTUAN TAHUN 1972." (PDF) (in Malaysian). Bahagian Istiadat & Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
12. "SENARAI PENUH PENERIMA DARJAH KEBESARAN, BINTANG DAN PINGAT PERSEKUTUAN TAHUN 1973." (PDF) (in Malaysian). Bahagian Istiadat & Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
13. Adit, Gary (14 July 2012). "Insurgency hero Reggie laid to rest". Borneo Post. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
14. "SENARAI PENUH PENERIMA DARJAH KEBESARAN, BINTANG DAN PINGAT PERSEKUTUAN TAHUN 1975." (PDF) (in Malaysian). Bahagian Istiadat & Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
15. "SENARAI PENUH PENERIMA DARJAH KEBESARAN, BINTANG DAN PINGAT PERSEKUTUAN TAHUN 1976." (PDF) (in Malaysian). Bahagian Istiadat & Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
16. "SENARAI PENUH PENERIMA DARJAH KEBESARAN, BINTANG DAN PINGAT PERSEKUTUAN TAHUN 1981." (PDF) (in Malaysian). Bahagian Istiadat & Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
17. "SENARAI PENUH PENERIMA DARJAH KEBESARAN, BINTANG DAN PINGAT PERSEKUTUAN TAHUN 1982." (PDF) (in Malaysian). Bahagian Istiadat & Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
18. "SENARAI PENUH PENERIMA DARJAH KEBESARAN, BINTANG DAN PINGAT PERSEKUTUAN TAHUN 1983." (PDF) (in Malaysian). Bahagian Istiadat & Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
19. "SENARAI PENUH PENERIMA DARJAH KEBESARAN, BINTANG DAN PINGAT PERSEKUTUAN TAHUN 1985." (PDF) (in Malaysian). Bahagian Istiadat & Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
20. "SENARAI PENUH PENERIMA DARJAH KEBESARAN, BINTANG DAN PINGAT PERSEKUTUAN TAHUN 1994." (PDF) (in Malaysian). Bahagian Istiadat & Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
21. Ahmad, Arman, Othman, Ahmad Fairuz (26 June 2005). "Leave No One Behind". New Straits Times. Retrieved 29 March 2013. (subscription required)
22. "SENARAI PENUH PENERIMA DARJAH KEBESARAN, BINTANG DAN PINGAT PERSEKUTUAN TAHUN 1998." (PDF) (in Malaysian). Bahagian Istiadat & Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Retrieved 28 March 2013.
23. "9 korban rusuhan – Seorang anggota FRU turut terbunuh di Depot Tahanan Semenyih" (in Malaysian). Utusan Melayu. 27 March 1998. Retrieved 29 March 2013.
24. Salim, Zaid (6 January 2011). "Tighter security at Immigration hubs". New Straits Times. Retrieved 29 March 2013. (subscription required)
25. "SENARAI PENUH PENERIMA DARJAH KEBESARAN, BINTANG DAN PINGAT PERSEKUTUAN TAHUN 2001." (PDF) (in Malaysian). Bahagian Istiadat & Urusetia Persidangan Antarabangsa. Retrieved 28 March 2013.