This day 79 years ago – 14 Feb 1942, Lt Adnan Saidi died a hero. Lt Adnan and 42 men of the Malay Regiment fought the Japanese at Bukit Chandu in Pasir Panjang.

Biar putih tulang jangan putih mata (better death than dishonour) – that was the motto Lt Adnan chose for his platoon.

They lived the true meaning of the motto. Outgunned and outnumbered, they fought valiantly with what they got: their bayonets, bare hands and steel hearts.

Wounded, yet Lt Adnan refused to give up his uniform and surrender to the Japanese. Yes, better death than dishonour.

The Japanese killed Lt Adnan, then 27, but he forever lived as hero in our hearts.

The last survivor of Lt Adnan’s platoon, Mr Ujang Mormin, passed away at 100 years old in Selangor due to Covid-19 on 9 Feb 2021.

Never forget – our independence did not come cheap. We’re indebted.