How does the pantomime honour the memory of the Ulu Legong heroes?

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The pantomime "Darah Pahlawan Ulu Legong" honours the memory of the Ulu Legong heroes by recreating the tragic ambush and naming each of the seven fallen soldiers.

The pantomime Darah Pahlawan Ulu Legong (Blood of the Ulu Legong Heroes) serves as a poignant tribute to the seven soldiers who lost their lives during the October 29, 1981, ambush in Ulu Legong, Baling. The performance brought to life the final moments of these servicemen, depicting the ambush itself and the profound grief experienced by their comrades. This commemoration was a central part of the 2026 National Warriors’ Day Parade, held under the theme “Mengenang Jasa, Mengukuh Pertahanan” (Honouring Service, Strengthening Defence).
Recalling the Ambush and Fallen Soldiers

The production meticulously recreated the harrowing events of the ambush, an incident where terrorists from the Malayan Communist Party attacked a convoy of soldiers from the 22nd Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment (22 RAMD). The stage at Dataran Pahlawan Negara was transformed to evoke the dense forests of Ulu Legong, setting a tense atmosphere as the performance depicted the soldiers' vulnerability before their vehicle came under heavy fire from automatic weapons and grenade launchers. The scene transitioned from the cacophony of gunfire to a haunting silence, underscoring the sacrifice made.
Naming the Seven Heroes

A significant aspect of the pantomime's tribute is the explicit naming of the seven soldiers who perished in the attack. These heroes were identified as Lance Corporal Hashim Sulaiman and Privates Rosli Mat Nayan, Jamil Mahmud, Jamil Abdul Hamid, Md Mendeka Ismail, Mazlim Wasal, and Mohd Khambali Mohd Sodeli. By calling out their names, the performance ensured that their individual sacrifices were acknowledged and remembered, rather than being subsumed into a collective loss.
Conveying the Emotional Weight of Loss

The pantomime also focused on conveying the profound emotional impact of the tragedy, particularly on the commanding officer. Actor Asyraf Muslim, who portrayed the commanding officer, Lt. Col. Hamzah Othman, spoke of the immense emotional challenge of embodying a leader who lost seven men under his command. He likened the experience to that of a father losing seven children simultaneously, aiming to communicate the depth of grief, sorrow, and helplessness that such a loss would entail. The performance sought to make the audience feel this emotional burden, reminding them of the human cost of conflict and the sacrifices made in defending the nation.

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How does the pantomime honour the memory of the Ulu Legong heroes?

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