BRIGHT LEGACY - Koo Chong Kong

THERE are heroes everywhere. The trouble is they seldom stand up and identify themselves. This story is about one of those quiet heroes. Fortunately, somebody took the trouble to tell us all about his life and all the lessons he left behind.


BRIGHT Legacy. Undoubtedly an unusual title for a biography. Quickly, the
book reveals it is actually an English translation of the name Koo Chong
Kong. A name many of my contemporaries have not forgotten. For me,
particularly unforgettable because Koo's assassination took place near my
home in Greentown, Ipoh, and my nextdoor neighbour witnessed the incident.
I still remember my neighbour rushing over excitedly to our house and
almost breathlessly describing the sounds of gunshot and confusion. He was
about four cars behind when the assailants, after killing Koo, dragged out
Koo's driver, dumped him on the road divider and shot him repeatedly.
This book, according to the foreword by Professor Khoo Kay Kim, is a
record and not a study of one of the country's top cops. In fairness to
it, the book must be read in this light; otherwise, the reader may be
dissatisfied.
From the public records of his career, Koo was a born leader, an
uncommon man with extraordinary achievements. What is remarkable even
today is how little is known about his contributions to the country during
the Emergency and the confrontation with Indonesia.
Born in Xun Wu in the province of Jiangxi, China, in 1925, Koo was about
two years old when he was spirited away to Malaya by his uncle to escape
the advent of Communism. Koo's father, a doctor and kung fu exponent, was
shot to death by the Reds. Of six sons and a daughter, Koo was the only
one in his family who managed to flee to Malaya. He grew up in Ipoh, under
the guidance of his uncle, a Christian missionary.
At 16, Koo kept his appointment with fate when Japan invaded Malaya. The
atrocities and killings compelled the adolescent to enter the jungle and
join the Malayan People's Anti-Japanese Army. His association with the
fighting men drew him into the company of the Communists.
From them and others, he learned the ways of the jungle and the tactics
of the Reds which would serve him well in later years. At 18, Koo was
enlisted in the famous Force 136 as a translator because of his
proficiency in English.
After the war, Koo drifted into several jobs, including one as a
bartender in a certain Yum Yum Cabaret. When the Communists returned to
the jungle, Koo was asked to join them but he refused. Instead, he lent a
hand to a new village resettlement programme in Negri Sembilan.
His decision upset the Communists who knew only too well their former
colleague's abilities. They signed his death warrant. Thereafter, Koo was
constantly on the lookout for assassins. Once, Koo managed to escape a
bomb attempt on his life at a dance hall.
By 1950, after much persuasion from his loved ones and friends, Koo took
up an opportunity to begin life anew and in safety in Sarawak. Two years
later, he joined the Sarawak police.
It was in the jungles of Sarawak that Koo was truly in his element. His
previous fighting skills and jungle survival knowledge came in handy. Very
quickly, he earned the reputation of being a highly respected police
officer.
In 1963, he was offered the top post in the Sarawak Special Branch. For
personal reasons, he declined. However, a year later he was again asked to
take up the position. This time, he did not refuse.
Koo's record of successes against the Communists catapulted him to
prominence and galvanised the Communists' efforts to get rid of him. In
1975, Koo's rendezvous with destiny could no longer be postponed. He was
asked to head the police force in Perak. He accepted even though he knew
the risks to his life were much greater once he was back in the peninsula.
A few months before he was gunned down, Koo took a holiday in Thailand,
where a blind man foretold that there was a mark of death in his family.
On Nov 14, 1975, two assassins dressed in school uniform, on a motorcycle,
rode alongside Koo's car in Ashby Road and shot him and his driver to
death.
This biographical account has gaps that can never be filled - for
security reasons. Like Koo's covert activities in Sarawak, including a
mission to Vietnam in 1967.
The book also refrains from telling in detail what transpired in the
early years of Koo's police career, his involvement in psychological
warfare and counter-intelligence. Those dark corridors are closed to
public scrutiny.
Because many of Koo's significant achievements in the interest of
national security are undisclosed, this biography is incomplete. On this
basis, and only on this basis, the book does not do justice to Koo Chong
Kong.
Put together by his granddaughters, it is more a commemoration of the
20th anniversary of his passing. Done "over two summer holidays", it is,
in its simple and unprofessional way, nothing more than the authors'
expression of appreciation of their grandfather's achievements as one of
Malaysia's most decorated police officers