Major Zainal Bin Hayat, now 62 years old, is a retired soldier whose life story is a testament to sacrifice, duty, and unwavering dedication to Malaysia. He joined the military in 1980 during a time when the Domino Theory suggesting that Vietnam might invade Thailand and then Malaysia created an urgent need for military personnel, beginning his cadet training in Port Dickson.
Over the years, he worked his way up, becoming a lieutenant and later retiring as a major in 2010. His military journey was filled with many unforgettable experiences, especially during his time with the 7th Ranger Regiment, fought against communist insurgents. Major Zainal recalled one of the most intense moments of his military career where one night, he and his team were suddenly woken up and told to board a train from Gua Musang to Raub. During the trip, the train was unexpectedly stopped and all lights were turned off. The soldiers had to jump off the train because they received intelligence that communist guerrillas were planning an ambush.
Another unforgettable moment for Major Zainal was during a tough mission where he and his team had to walk 8 kilometers along a railway track to find an enemy who had been shot. The journey was exhausting, and at one point, Major Zainal felt overwhelmed by fatigue and the emotional strain of the mission. He sat down, alone, and began to cry, questioning his role as a young soldier in such dangerous circumstances.
"Ada satu masa saya rasa terlalu letih, duduk sendiri dan menangis kerana terfikir apa yang saya lakukan pada usia yang begitu muda, hanya 21 tahun," — says Major Zainal.
This moment of vulnerability highlighted the sacrifices made by young soldiers like him, who faced the harsh realities of war early in their lives. Before starting his military career, Major Zainal worked briefly in a fertilizer factory, saving up to buy a guitar during the popular 'rock kapak' era in Malaysia. A time when the rock music scene was gaining popularity in Malaysia. However, his dream of becoming a rock musician was set aside as he committed himself fully to the life of a soldier. Despite this, his love for music never faded.
In his role as a combat medic, Major Zainal faced many life-threatening situations, including one involving a field of booby traps along the Malaysia-Thailand border. He recalled how his unit narrowly escaped danger when two elephants accidentally triggered the traps, clearing the path for the soldiers.
"Nasib menyebelahi kami kerana sebelum kami sampai, terdapat dua ekor gajah yang telah mati terpijak jerangkap samar tersebut," — Major Zainal explained. Highlighting the dangerous nature of military operations.As Major Zainal reflected on his years of service, he acknowledged the profound sacrifices required of soldiers, not just in terms of the physical dangers but also in the loss of personal time and experiences. He emphasized that every individual has a role to play in contributing to the nation, regardless of their field.
"Tidak semua yang kita ada untuk diri kita sahaja, tapi sebenarnya untuk orang lain. Apa salahnya kita berkorban untuk negara, simpan sedikit yang kita suka, selebihnya kita beri kepada negara," — says Major Zainal,
