Merican Sutan
Merican bin Sutan or 'Uncle Mac' (25 March 1918 – 11 December 1991) is a former Malaysian police officer who served as Director of Internal Security and Public Order Department in the 1970s. He is the founder of VAT 69 Commando.
Early life
Merican bin Sutan was born on 25 March 1918 in Alor Star. He attended school at Sultan Abdul Hamid College. He is married to Hasnah binti Abdullah and has 6 children. He is the father of Hassan Marican, the former President of Petronas.
Police career
Merican bin Sutan joined the police on 4 May 1939 as a Cadet Sub-Inspector. He was the first Malay to become the Commandant of Kuala Lumpur Police Training Center after the country achieved independence; he held the position from 25 November 1957 to 24 November 1959. He previously served as Negeri Sembilan,[1] Pahang, Penang and Perak Police Chief. In 1956, Merican was awarded the Colonial Police Medal and, in the same year, on 31 October 1956, while Merican served as Kelantan Deputy Police Chief, he was assigned as Honorary ADC to the Duke of Edinburgh when he visited Kelantan.[2] Merican retired in 1973 at the age of 55.
He also attended several courses in the United Kingdom,[3] the United States and Australia.
The then Minister of Home Affairs Tun Ismail Abdul Rahman ordered Merican Sutan to establish an elite police force that is now known as VAT 69 in 1969. Merican Sutan asked for help from the SAS from the United Kingdom and New Zealand to train the VAT 69 members.[4] In 1972, VAT 69 became an official unit in the eyes of the government under the name VAT 69 (Very Able Troopers) which later became known as 69 Commando.[5]
Honours
- File:Flag of Malaya.svg Malaya :
- File:MY Darjah Yang Mulia Pangkuan Negara (Defender of the Realm) - SMN.svg Companion of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (JMN) (1958)
Malaysia :
- File:Malaysian Commemorative Medal ribbon.gif Recipient of the Malaysian Commemorative Medal (Silver) (PPM) (1965)
Perak :
- File:MY-PERA Order of the Perak State Crown (before 2001).svg Commander of the Order of the Perak State Crown (PMP) (1963)[6]
- File:MY-PERA Order of the Perak State Crown (before 2001).svg Knight Commander of the Order of the Perak State Crown (DPMP) – Dato' (1970)[7]
Commonwealth Honours
United Kingdom :
- File:UK Colonial Police Medal for Meritorious Service ribbon bar.PNG Recipient of the Colonial Police Medal (CPM) (1956)[8]
Death
Merican Sutan died on 11 December 1991 from a kidney ailment.[9]
References
- ↑ "CPO baru tiba". Berita Harian. 16 December 1959. p. 5.
- ↑ "ADC to Duke". The Straits Times. 31 October 1956. p. 5.
- ↑ "CPO for London". Straits Budget. 10 May 1967. p. 19.
- ↑ VAT 69 rises to nation's defence again.
- ↑ bin Abd Rahman 2013, p. 88.
- ↑ "18 are made datos by the Sultan of Perak". Straits Budget. 4 September 1963. p. 14.
- ↑ "152 orang terima anugerah Harijadi Sultan Perak". Berita Harian. 15 September 1970. p. 7.
- ↑ "No. 40669". The London Gazette (Supplement). 1 January 1956. p. 37.
- ↑ Former top police officer dies. New Sunday Times. 11 December 1991. Search this book on
Sources
bin Abd Rahman, Shamsul Afkar (June 2013). History of Special Operations Forces in Malaysia (MSc). Monterey: Naval Postgraduate School.
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