Last surviving soldier of the legendary Bukit Candu battle during World War II, is now left to fend for himself

Private Ujang Mormin, now 91 years old


The legendary Leftenan Adnan Saidi who died after a 2 days gallant fight against the Japanese army in Bukit Candu, Singapore, on 14th February, 1942.

During the legendary battle in Bukit Candu, Singapore during World War II, Private Ujang Mormin fought bravely alongside his legendary superior officer, the undisputed hero of the Malayan army, Leftenan Adnan Saidi.

But now, Ujang is living hard and difficult.

Ujang is the last surviving soldier to have fought in the battle of Bukit Candu, Singapore, during the Japanese invasion in the Second World War in February 1942.

He is now living alone in Sikamat, Seremban, Negeri Sembilan, Malaysia.

Private Ujang Mormin, 91, is left to fend for himself after his wife died two years ago while two of his three children have also died, and another could not be traced.

“I'm now surviving on a RM200 pension after retiring from the Prisons Department,” he said after receiving a Pingat Jasa Malaysia from Defence Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Ha-midi at the Sungai Besi Camp in Kuala Lumpur on Saturday, 10th March 2012.



Ujang was one of 42 men from the First Malay Regiment, headed by the legendary Lt Adnan Saidi, who made their final stand against the Japanese onslaught on Bukit Candu.

Serving the army for seven years from 1941, Ujang said he retreated downhill under heavy Japanese artillery fire and did not see how Lt Adnan was gunned down on 14th February 1942.

“One of the soldiers, who retreated with me, was hit by a bomb shrapnel and died.

“It saddened me when I dug up a grave to bury him,” he said with tears.

As the Japanese strengthened their stranglehold on Singapore, Ujang was ordered to return to his hometown by his superior but he chose to hide in the jungle on the island before he was adopted by a family.

He stayed with the family for two months before returning to Rembau, Negri Sembilan, after Singapore fell to the Japanese.

Ujang was also awarded a War Medal and a Pacific Star Medal by the British government.

ALl the best Sir..