| Hasnah Jusid |
KUBANG PASU (Bernama) – Perhaps not many have heard of Kampung Special Constable in Changlun, here, that is rich in historical value.
Better known as Kampung SC, the village was built on a land that was awarded to special constables (SC) at the time. It was in appreciation of their service in protecting the people and assisting policing efforts.
However, not many today are aware of their story or even the existence of the village.
Bernama recently visited the village along with the Malaysian Historical Society of Kedah to gather data on SCs and meet up with the respondents.
The society’s Research Bureau head Dr Mohd Kasri Saidon said the SC was a team created to strengthen defence strategies under the Briggs’ Plan in 1948.
The plan introduced by Sir Harold Briggs uses a strategy aimed at eradicating communist activities by relocating villages at the edge of the jungle and preventing food supply from reaching the enemies.
Photo shows a two-bedroom kampung home given to special constables (SC) at Kampung SC. PHOTOS: BERNAMA
Dr Mohd Kasri, who is also a senior lecturer at Universiti Utara Malaysia’s School of Education and Modern Languages, said the number of policemen at the time were insufficient to fight off the communists.
“The locals were called on to defend the nation, so that was when the position of Special Constables were created. Many Malayan youths fought off the communists for us back then,” he revealed.
In recognition of their spirit and bravery, the government awarded a parcel of land to 17 members of the SC who had voluntarily taken on the daunting task.
One of the family members of an SC, Kamaliah Saad, said the SC had been given the option to select between a piece land or paddy fields.
Many of them opted for the land, and thus two hectares of land were given to them. They later formed a village on it, called Kampung SC.
Besides the land, they were also given a two-bedroom kampung home.
However, to date, only one of the houses from that time remained. It looked neglected and sits smack in middle of the village.
Kampung SC Village Security and Development Committee chairman Mohammad Khir Harun, 51, said there had yet a signboard to be erected to indicate the existence of the house and village.
“We have asked for the state government for help in redeveloping the village and house, as they are valuable historical heritage,” he said, adding that there are about 300 residents at the village.
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