Posted by dam Yusoff > MEMORIES OF THE PAST
Police Inspector killed in Sibu, 1970 18th December, in The Fight against the SCO/NKCP
After his graduation, he served in Bintangor as a General Duties and Special Branch Officer 1965-1968 and as a Special Branch Officer in Sibu 1969-1970.
As a young Special Branch Officer in Bintangor, he did a lot of damage to the SCO (Sarawak Communist Organisation) and slowed down its growth, in Bintangor, his home town. The SCO then started to harass his family members and relatives in their village, forcing them to move to Sibu.
Inspector Herman Wong was transfered to Sibu and there he continued his duties in the fight against the SCO/NKCP (North Kalimantan Communist Party).
The war in Sibu escalated as the SCO grew in strength and number. With the return of the PARAKU from Kalimantan Barat - (Pasukan Rakyat Kalimantan Utara) and the formation of Armed Work Forces in the Batang Rajang Area, the Communist Terrorists and its Sibu Town Committee, 2nd Bureau NKCP then became more aggressive.
The CTs prepared an elimination list of Special Branch Officers to be killed, and Inspector Herman Wong was among those on top of the list.
The Sibu Town Committee of 2nd Bureau NKCP (Killer-Squad) comprised 37 CTs. Their new priority task was changed, to eliminate the “running dogs” (SB personnel) comprising 27 personnel.
They planned to kill the top six Special Branch Officers in Sibu starting with Inspector Herman Wong.
On 18th December 1970, at about 6.15 pm, six assassins came in three motor-cycles to his house general area. Four assassins stood guard as lookouts at the main road, Oya Road, while two CTs moved in to carry out the assassination. At that time, Inspector Herman Wong who had just returned from work was doing gardening in front of his house. A motorcycle passed by, with two persons riding on it.
Inspector Herman Wong went out of his compound to check on them.
The two assassins turned back after riding past his house, alighted from their motor-cycle and shot Inspector Herman at close range. Two bullets hit him, one on the chest and one on the stomach.
An Army Officer staying two-doors apart came out of his house and had a fire-fight with the two CTs. He killed one and one escaped.
Immediately assistance was called and a SB Officer came with police personnel in a landrover and transported the wounded Inspector Herman Wong to Sibu General Hospital where he succumbed and died, while Operation Pagar, blocking of the escape routes, was implemented. Two CTs were captured and interrogated into the early hours. One disclosed where they would meet after their assasination job. To cut the story short, two more CTs were captured at 5th Mile, Oya Road the following morning.
The late Inspector Herman Wong was given a police funeral service and procession with his hearse going through Sibu town, respects paid and buried in a Chinese Cemetery near the Old Sibu Airport.
Herman Wong became the first Police Officer killed in the line of duties in the fight against SCO/NKCP in Sarawak.
One year later, the 6th and last assassin of Inspector Herman Wong was killed by the Rangers near the cemetery where Inspector Herman Wong was buried. Sibu people said the ghost of Herman Wong took revenge and killed the 6th assassin.
In recommending Inspector Wong for a police bravery award, Retired SAC Dato Lawrence Lim, former Head of Special Branch RASCOM/Sarawak, had this to say,
“The late Inspector Herman Wong was truly a brave Police Officer. He conducted himself unselfishly and died for the Police Force and Country in the line of duty. I strongly recommend the late Inspector for a posthumous Police bravery and gallantry award.”
That was written on 25th April, 2003, some 19 years ago, by the former Head of Special Branch RASCOM/Sarawak.
My salute to the late Inspector Herman Wong, may he be remembered by his brothers-in-arm and may he rest in peace.
Fabian Wong
16.12.22.
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9.12.2024: 12.13 p.m
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