GROUP 2: Lieutenant adnan bin saidi of the malay regiment

Today’s heroes are not quite as noticeable as the medieval knights once were. They are ordinary, everyday people; people that are brave, loyal, and selfless. All the same, lieutenant adnan bin saidi started off as an ordinary boy who was the eldest of his three siblings. He was a diligent student and excelled in his studies and, when grown up, became a firm man who took discipline seriously. As quoted by his son, “My father did not talk a lot. He was a firm man and believed in discipline. He was always serious and fierce… yet had a good heart. There seemed to be a ‘light’ illuminating his face” In 1923, Adnan saidi joined the malay regiment and was quickly to promoted become a sergeant. He was then posted to Singapore in 1941 in which he brought with him his family. A year later came the Battle Of Bukit Chandu in 1942, 12 of February, one of the most ferocious battles fought in Singapore during the Japanese invasion.

Adnan led a 42-strong platoon from the Malay Regiment in the defense of Singapore against the invading Japanese. The soldiers fought at the Battle of Pasir Panjang, at Pasir Panjang Ridge in the Bukit Chandu (Opium Hill) area on 12 February-14, 1942. Although heavily outnumbered, Adnan refused to surrender and urged his men to fight until the end. They held off the Japanese for two days of amid heavy enemy shelling and shortages of food and ammunition. Adnan was shot and was injured with a broken arm. Nevertheless, he refused to leave his men and fought alongside them with pistol, sword and finally as ammunition ran out, his bare hands. After the battle was lost, the wounded Adnan was taken prisoner by Japanese soldiers, who tied him to a cherry tree and bayoneted him to death. Everyday people are put in situations where they have to confront their fears, as Franklin P. Jones says, “Bravery is being the only one who knows you’re afraid”. People who put their fears behind them without thinking twice for a selfless reason are the bravest people in the entire world, for which in this case, Adnan bin saidi has been a perfect example, thus having been regarded as a true hero even till this date.

As mentioned earlier, a hero is one who is brave, loyal and selfless. Through the battle at bukit chandu, Lieutenant Adnan have displayed clearly these three qualities. The people of Singapore then slowly got to know of his act of perseverance, determination and loyalty. This hence gave him an important place as a true hero in their hearts. Finally, only people that are truly selfless are true heroes. His label as a hero might not last long, but he is sure to be remembered as one in every Singaporean’s heart for a long time to come.

AWESOME WORK PRODUCED BY:

Amanda Tan (1)

Dallas Gay (9)

Lee Ser Jean (13)

Soo Neng Hao (31)

Yin Si Han (37)

Zhang Xin Peng (38)

WITH REFERENCE TO:

http://web.singnet.com.sg/~nainz/malayregiment.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8OStIT7CgMk