WWII veteran Tok Ujang succumbs to COVID-19

Not many people can live to be a hundred years old. But for Private Ujang Mormin, he didn’t just live a century, he survived a war, battled through a pandemic, and died a hero. More affectionately known as Tok Ujang, legendary stories of the World War II veteran span all the way back to the 1940s, where he had fought side by side with Lt Adnan Saidi, also another celebrated war hero, during the Battle of Pasir Panjang in Singapore.

100-year-old Tok Ujang dies of COVID-19 complications

The Star reported this morning that Tok Ujang had passed away at Sungai Buloh Hospital yesterday evening. He tested positive for COVID-19 last month on 26th January, and was subsequently admitted into the hospital.

Tok Ujang showing his medals
Image credit: MyMetro

His grandniece Lailawati Jamil, disclosed that the centenarian’s condition turned critical four days ago and that he had wanted to see his loved ones. But due to the current pandemic conditions, he was, unfortunately, not allowed to have visitors.

The Health Ministry is currently undertaking his funeral arrangements. His body is expected to be buried at the Royal Malay Regiment Cemetery in Port Dickson.

Tok Ujang was the last survivor of the Battle of Pasir Panjang

Tok Ujang showing old portraits of his family
Image credit: duniaitu.blogspot.com

Almost 80 years ago, Tok Ujang, under the First Battalion of the Royal Malay Regiment (1RAMD), was deployed to the Gap Ridge in Singapore – the last standing British military fort. The British were forced to retreat when Japanese forces infiltrated Singapore in 1942.

It was then that the Battle of Pasir Panjang took place, and Tok Ujang emerged as one of the few men who survived, when even the war hero Lt Adnan had been killed.

Tok Ujang had told The Star in a previous interview that he had to crawl through trenches and jump into dugouts to escape the Japanese army. The English officer, who was planning to surrender, allowed Tok Ujang and other survivors to leave if they didn’t want to surrender with him. Tok Ujang chose to go into hiding for a couple of months before finding his way back to his hometown in Kampung Kundur, Rembau.

Tok Ujang’s heroic sacrifices didn’t go unnoticed as he has several medals to his name today, such as The Pacific Star and Pingat Jasa Malaysia, making him one of the most esteemed fighters in the Malaysian Armed Forces.

Notable WWII fighter gone, but not forgotten

Wartime may just sound like a story we had to memorise during Sejarah lessons, but for our grandparents who lived through it and the fighters who had to go into battle for our nation’s independence, it was a dark period full of fear and atrocities that us, the fortunate young ones, can’t even begin to imagine.

Tok Ujang may be gone, we’re sure that his legacy and name will live on.

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Cover image adapted from: duniaitu.blogspot.com

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