Yahya soldiers on with his gallery

WHEN August 31 nears, a former soldier attached to a British army unit in Malaya sees flashes from the past, the struggle for independence and the fight against the communist threat.

Datuk Yahya Shafii, the first Malay to join the British army, is grateful for the fact that not only he survived a communist ambush right on Merdeka day but also lived to witness the birth of his son the same day.

However, more than anything else he is grateful for the fact that his sacrifices have helped Malaysia to emerge as a peaceful nation.

"I had to spend much of the 12 years in the jungles and we even had to eat python and foxes to survive, all for the sake of our country," he told Bernama.

Yahya, who hails from Kampung Seronok, Penang, took part in 176 operations against the communist before and after Merdeka and his left leg was once badly injured by a booby trap.

After leaving the army in early 1970s, he realised he had a wealth of experience and memorabilia to share with fellow Malaysians.

He was nostalgic on his years as a serviceman and the pre and post Merdeka days and now brings fellow Malaysians through his nostalgic journey using photographs and other memorabilia at the Military Gallery that he opened at his home in Batu Maung.

The gallery opened since 1971 is dedicated to his comrades and the freedom fighters in the country.

"After retiring, I opened this gallery to help my children and grandchildren appreciate our sacrifices and the spirit of Merdeka," he said.

There is a particular photo that is very meaningful to him and it was taken when his company landed in Sungai Siput, Perak in 1948, as the advance party.

"At that time we took photographs with the cannons known as Pembela (protector), a manually operated cannon. If it weren't for me, the cannons won't fire and at that time I was only trained to fire the cannon," he said.

Pictures of senior British military officers and communist leaders also provide an insight on the people to be reckoned with at that time.

The gallery is open from 10 am to 6.30 pm from Mondays to Thursdays and from 8.30 am to 7.30 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. The entrance is free but visitors can donate on their free will.

The gallery that has been opened to the public for the last 39 years was set up with his own funds.

During the Merdeka month he receives a good number of visitors to the gallery and at times school children and undergraduates come to seek materials for their research.

In future, he plans to work with the agencies to improve the exhibition area in the gallery to showcase history in pictures.Bernama