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Thambipillay Rajasingam (Pillay) was born
in 1929, completed his Cambridge school certificate in 1949 and joined
the Police Department, first serving in the Administrative department
in Police District HQs Gemas and part-time Auxiliary Police Officer
No.2016 on 10.4.1951. In 1954 he was a full fledged Police Inspector
and appointed as Assistant OCPD Kuala Kubu Bahru. Then he held the
command position as OCPD Tapah covering Cameron Highlands, and OCPD
Slim River covering Tanjung Malim. He also saw active service during
the Emergency as Officer-in-Charge “A” Company and second-in-command
Battalion 2 Police Field Force during a span of 10 years bashing the
jungles in Malaya, astride Thai/Malayan border and Rajang Security
Command (RASCOM) Sarawak.. He had two contacts with the terrorists.
The only unfortunate casualty was his Platoon Sergeant Shariff who
stepped on a booby trap & passed away in the jungle itself.
It was upon his posting as OCPD Batu Gajah
in 1979 that he initiated a special event in 1980 to commemorate the
116 security personnel, civilian planters and miners who gave their
lives in the Emergency and buried at the Anglican cemetery in Batu
Gajah. After putting it in sound footing for the next three years and
with his transfer on promotion to Ipoh, he voluntarily handed-over
this event referred to as God’s Little Acre to the Perak Planter’s
association which showed interest. His last post was CID chief for
Ipoh District, a challenging career, and retired as Superintendent of
Police in 1984 after 36 years service. But, he continued to serve in
the God’s Little Acre organizing committee to-date for the past 27
years.
Then there was a need to organize three
other remembrance ceremonies, each at different venue in Ipoh for
those who also gave their lives annually since 2004 and in the two
World Wars, Emergency and Confrontation annually since 2008. Details
of these can be seen in this website. He co-ordinates the “Troops
Night” with the sponsors.
Deeply interested in the need for the new
generation to remember at what price freedom was won he authored two
books and produced two VCDs on the Emergency. Details of these are in
this website.
He is also an active social worker holding
key positions in a number of NGOs for the past 27 years. For all the
dedication and commitment shown he was awarded the MBE (UK) by Queen
Elizabeth 2 in 1998, title of “Tokoh (well-known) Batu Gajah” in 2003,
“Public Services Award 2003/2004 by President of Rotary Club Kinta
Perak in 2004, followed by Order of Australia AM by Governor-General
of Australia in 2005, Datoship (DPMP) by His Royal Highness Sultan of
Perak in 2006. A citation in a book entitled :”Legacy of the Pioneers
– 125 years of Jaffna Tamils” in 2006 and appointed Liaison Officer
NMBVA UK in 2008.
He feels that the disturbing experiences
particularly during the 12 turbulent years of the Emergency, dotted
with pleasant memories was fulfillment for a cause for which many
others, including civilians suffered more and even gave their lives
for the Nation. This is the reason which motivates him to keep the
Commemorative and related event on-going.
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