Latest news with #PingatPangkuanNegara
New Straits Times
10-08-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
Pioneer ex-VAT 69 commando keeps beaches clean
KUALA LUMPUR: Che Yak @ Embong Ngah, 77, one of the first VAT 69 commandos, now fights a different scourge — litterbugs — walking more than 10 kilometres along Terengganu's beaches, collecting rubbish as part of his daily exercise. Residing in Kampung Rhu Muda, Che Yak begins his three- to four-hour routine as early as 7am. Utusan Malaysia reported that one of the 30 members of the first nucleus troop of VAT 69, Che Yak said he finds great satisfaction in walking long distances, which has become a routine deeply ingrained in him. "Almost every day I walk from my house to Pantai Rhu Muda and continue along the beach, sometimes as far as Pantai Kelulut and Pantai Kekabu. "Since suffering from knee joint problems about five years ago, the distance I cover is no longer as far as before, now around 10 kilometres. "Almost every day I walk from my house to Pantai Rhu Muda and continue along the beach. Since suffering from knee joint problems about five years ago, the distance I cover is now around 10 kilometres. While exercising, I pick up rubbish such as containers and plastic bottles because I enjoy seeing the beach clean," he said. He added that some people have mistaken him for "not right in the head" when they see him in shabby clothes, dragging a stick or carrying a sack of rubbish. "I don't take it to heart and just carry on with my usual exercise," he said. Living with his wife, Siti Rohana Nordin, 57, Che Yak also enjoys gardening and growing flowers as a hobby, as well as caring for several cats at home. Sharing memories from his time in service, Che Yak said his experience battling communist insurgents in Sarawak between 1970 and 1971 remains unforgettable. He recalled how the fort where he and his comrades were stationed came under ambush late at night, sparking a firefight that lasted until early morning, from which they survived. "I began as a member of the police force in June 1969 in Hulu Kinta, Perak, and in October of the same year, I was selected for VAT 69 commando training and underwent basic commando training. "We were trained by a team of instructors from the United Kingdom's Special Air Service Regiment (SAS), and out of all those who joined the training, only 30 of us, including myself, made it to the end, becoming the first nucleus troop of VAT 69. "I retired from the police on Feb 1 2004, at the Terengganu police contingent headquarters. "Now, we are all old, and some of my comrades have passed away," he said. Among the awards he has received are the Pingat Pangkuan Negara, the Pingat Bentara Pasukan Polis, and the Pingat Jasa Pingat Darjah Bentara Pasukan Pahlawan Negara.
![#NSTviral: Royally-honoured security guard Yogeswary goes viral again for kindness at Ipoh hospital [WATCH]](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fassets.nst.com.my%2Fimages%2Farticles%2F01viral190625sp_NSTfield_image_socialmedia.var_1750294822.jpg&w=3840&q=100)
New Straits Times
19-06-2025
- General
- New Straits Times
#NSTviral: Royally-honoured security guard Yogeswary goes viral again for kindness at Ipoh hospital [WATCH]
KUALA LUMPUR: R. Yogeswary, fondly known to the public as 'Auntie Yoges,' a beloved security guard at Raja Permaisuri Bainun Hospital, Ipoh, has once again captured the hearts of Malaysians after a video showing her helping a patient went viral. Posted by user @budakwheelchair, the TikTok video begins with him circling the hospital car park seven times before stopping near the lobby. The caption asks, "Do Ipoh people know Auntie Yoges?" The security guard spoke to him through his car window. "What did Auntie say? One round, then wait for me, right? Why are you so stubborn?" The TikTok user responds in jest, "I tried looking for parking somewhere else first. Is there any parking, Auntie? I feel like making you go viral again." To this, she laughed. "Don't make me go viral again. Just pray for Auntie." The moment takes a more moving turn when the user, who is paraplegic, handed her his phone. It then showed him exiting the car and transferring himself into a wheelchair without assistance. Auntie Yoges, still by his side, offered a heartfelt prayer. "May everything go smoothly for my dear. May you be blessed with good health and strength. May your journey be a truly good one. You're the best, dear. Auntie really respects you." Yogeswary previously made national headlines in 2023 for her compassion and tireless service, which earned her the Pingat Pangkuan Negara (PPN) from the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah. In the new video, she is seen in uniform, proudly wearing the ribbon representing the prestigious honour. Many commenters were quick to recognise her and praise her continued kindness, to which Yogeswary replied with warm gratefulness in the comments. "I received this medal because of all of you… auntie will always give good service, dik (dear)," she wrote. Netizens flooded the video with warm recollections. "(Yogeswary) knows everyone well. She calls everyone younger than her 'adik', all the kids 'anak', all the older folks 'mak' or 'abah'. Some she even calls 'sayang'. This auntie has such lovely manners," wrote @ "The first time I met Aunty Yoges was while caring for my late mother... She comforted the patients' family members waiting outside the Emergency Department," said MrsAdy7083. "Sometimes, my father goes for chemotherapy just to see her. She walks him all the way to the haematology clinic," another commenter, @najjjj, shared. "When I was about to give birth for the first time... she held my arm and guided me all the way to the lobby. Thank you, auntie—your kindness will be repaid with more kindness," added user NIRy. Many others spoke of her continued acts of kindness: helping book rides, watching over children, and ensuring there is always parking when needed.
