After 55 years of separation ...

Mohd Zin (right) and Rais showed pictures of them while undergoing training at Recruit Training Centre in Port Dickson in 1956.

Figure Mohd Zin (left) and Rais taken in 1956.

CAPE KLING - Two former soldiers who served pre-independence did not expect to have the opportunity to meet again after 55 years of severed ties.

Both of them, Mohd Zin Husain and Rais Buyong, each 79 years old, reunited after, the Daily Herald newspaper display biodata one of them in a special room.

Mohd Zin, who now lives in Kampung Batang Tiga, here, said he previously really looking at it but did not expect his sudden read in a column in the Daily Herald about his retirement ceremony which served as Chairman of the Development Committee and Security Committee (JKKK) Kampung Pulau in Sri Awaits.

"I was an avid reader of the Daily Herald since the beginning, did not expect a sudden I read a story about Rais three months ago. In the report, also displays the phone number, so I continued to call him but missed.

"After failing to reach him by phone, I went to Sri Faithfulness to look through the address stated in the press and finally we meet again," he said when the two met at the home of the child to Rais in Kampung Keling, here, today.

Mohd Zin said, once met each tells the story of a family including recalls memories while serving in the military at one time.

"I'm married, blessed with seven children living in Batang Tiga while Rais was blessed with six children and live in Sri Johor, Negeri Sembilan.

"Interestingly, I have a son who follow in my footsteps into the military and is now retired, while child soldiers and also Rais be retired," he said.

Recalling the second beginning in the military field, Mohd Zin said they joined the Royal Malay Regiment after training recruits at Recruit Training Centre in Port Dickson, in January 1956. At that time, both 18 years old.

"After six months, we completion of the course, me and Rais placed in the 5th Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment in Camp Rock 3 Kluang, Johor. We are both in one company, together operating hunting the remnants of communist terrorists in Kluang, Johor, Slim River and several other locations.

"Most are not forgotten when on duty in Seremban, my company every success, when communist guerrillas killed four, including a woman in 1958.

"Once free, we were assigned in Kuala Lumpur in the control unit culture Yang di-Pertuan Agong First time.

"In 1960 when we parted Rais Infantry Regiment stationed in Singapore but after Singapore out of Malaysia in 1965, Rais changed to the 10th Battalion Royal Malay Regiment.

"While I was serving in the military police unit (MP) in Kuala Lumpur in 1964 before retiring four years later, but the second I most remember also during the race riots occurred on May 13, 1969, where I was assigned to escort VIPs," he said.

Meanwhile, he said, he began to retire in 1977 at Camp Shade, Melaka.

"I thank the Daily Herald that displays on my retirement ceremony after serving as Chairman of JKKK for nine years and due to the report, we can meet again.

"I also want to thank the Department of Veterans Affairs and Veterans Association for help to get a hearing aid for my use," he said.

According to Rais, he would greatly appreciate if there are friends who still live first ever to be met by calling 019 692117 (Mohd Zin) and 06 4976137 (Rais).