THEMATIC FINDING AIDS PROJECT ( BUKIT KEPONG TRAGEDY)

BACHELOR OF INFORMATION SCIENCE (HONS) RECORD MANAGEMENT
FACULTY OF INFORMATION MANAGEMENT
(IM246)
ADMINISTRATION OF ARCHIVE
(IMR 455)
GROUP ASSIGNMENT:

THEMATIC FINDING AIDS PROJECT ( BUKIT KEPONG TRAGEDY)

PREPARED BY:

NURUL AIN NADHIRAH BINTI ZAMRI (2021809836)
HAMIZAH BINTI A KADIR (2021627674)
NURAINA SYUHADAH BINTI ZAINAL ABIDIN (2021617726)
NUR NAJWA BINTI ABU HASAN (2021453846)

PREPARED FOR:
MADAM ROHAYU BINTI AHMAD

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TABLE OF CONTENT PAGE
ii
NO CONTENT iii
1 Acknowledgement iv
2 Explanatory Notes v
3 Abbreviations 1
4 Introduction 2-4
5 Chapter 1: The Beginning of Bukit Kepong 5-6
6 Chapter 2: The Worst Tragedy Happened
7 Chapter 3: The Final State of The Battle At Bukit 7-12
13-14
Kepong
8 Chapter 4: Notable Individuals 15
9 Chapter 5: Bukit Kepong Now 16-18
10 Conclusion 19-20
11 List of Archival Materials
12 List of Figures 21
13 Indexes 22-23
14 References

I

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
We are grateful to Allah who gives our sound mind and sound health, we were
able to complete this assignment. Firstly, we would like to give our special appreciation
to our lecturer, Madam Rohayu binti Ahmad, who is a lecturer of Administration of
Archive at UiTM Segamat. She has guided and advised us a lot for assignments over the
phone. We also would like to thank our friends for their concern and helped us in
producing a good assignment with more understanding.
On the other hand, a big thank you to our family because of their support and
understanding of us in completing this assignment. Various difficulties we have
encountered throughout completing this assignment, but with the help of them and our
persistence, we were able to complete it within the time given by our beloved lecturer
with pleasure. Lastly, thanks also to all who are directly involved with us in efforts to
complete this assignment well.

II

EXPLANATORY NOTES
The finding aids book is prepared to facilitate the retrieving and use of records
and archival materials related to the history of “BUKIT KEPONG INCIDENT”. Various
pieces of information can be obtained from both electronic and non-electronic sources.
The list of available material includes records related to collection types of images,
newspaper, television series, commercials, and many more.
This finding aids book aims to help researchers to find and obtain the desired
material easily. All the materials are listed according to the type of collection that
documents simple inventory and description of selected materials. The content of finding
aids is based on the materials available in the National Archives Malaysia.

III

ABBREVIATIONS

NO ABBREVIATION DESCRIPTION
1 OFA Online Finding Aids
2 Sgt.
3 KPL Sargent
4 L/KPL Koperal
5 MM Lans Koperal
Mata-mata

IV

INTRODUCTION

Bukit Kepong Incident was an armed encounter which took place on February 23,
1950 between the Federation of Malaya Police and the Malayan Communist Party during
the Malayan Emergency. This conflict took place in an area surrounding the Bukit
Kepong police station in Bukit Kepong. Bukit Kepong is a remote village located on the
banks of the Muar river, Johor which has about 20 shops mostly owned by the Chinese.
The village is close to several Malay villages within a distance of 3 to 6 kilometers by
road. The easiest way to get to Bukit Kepong is by road to Lenga and by river road to
Bukit Kepong which takes about 2 hours. Its remote location caused Bukit Kepong to
lose contact with the outside world.

The people of Bukit Kepong’s village are simple, brave and independent people.
The incident started just before dawn with communists launching a guerilla assault on the
police station leading to the deaths of almost all of the police officers stationed there.
This tragedy makes people be brave to the enemies and they will learn to be loved by
their country. There is much history of the Bukit Kepong’s incident from the beginning
and the end of the story.

To complete this assignment we have to survey or get the information from the
online finding aids which show many information such as the photos,video and audio
about the Bukit Kepong’s tragedy. Online finding aids of the national archive of Malaysia
is one of the official websites to find any suitable references related to the topics that
people want to do research.OFA serve the collection of latest archival materials currently
available.

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CHAPTER 1: THE BEGINNING OF BUKIT KEPONG

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There is still a mixture of admiration and regret for the past defenders of the
country. The hard labour of the Malay combatants in the past is evident in the fact that
their blood is still flowing, their pulse is still beating, and fresh air may still be breathed.
However, the Bukit Kepong Incident, which etched history for the nation, is still
remembered and made history, particularly by the people of Johor. The Bukit Kepong
Police Station incident was a communist assault that happened during the Federation of
Malaya's period of emergency following World War II. On February 23, 1950, a crowd
of 180 communists assaulted the Bukit Kepong Police Station, beginning about 5:00 am
(West Malaysia Time, now 5.30 am-a time that has been synchronized with the Peninsula,
Sabah, and Sarawak presently).

In the encounter, roughly 25 officers engaged in fierce combat before falling one
by one. When they discovered their husbands were dead, two police women also grabbed
guns, and they engaged in combat with other members until they ran out of ammo. This
event resulted in the deaths of 40 communist troops and 19 police officers.

The worst event began just before daybreak when the Communists attacked the
police station using guerrilla tactics. The attack sadly ended in violence, with the
terrorists killing nearly all of the on-duty police officers. The communists intended to use
the incident as a warning to anybody who might support the Communist cause. The
assailants had high hopes when they began the siege that they would quickly overpower
the officers and take possession of the police station. This is because of a variety of
things that work in their favor, such as the fact that they have the benefit of having more
members and that the conditions within the remote police station make it impossible to
receive aid.

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CHAPTER 2: THE WORST TRAGEDY HAPPENED

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This tragedy happened on 23rd February 1950. At that time, Bukit Kepong was a
very small town with only 20 small retails hop owned by Chinese.It was located beside
the upstream of Muar river. According to eyewitness, there were 200 communists
attacking, led by Muhmmad Indera a Malay communists. Despite that, the policeman led
by Sgt. Jamil Mohd Shah refused to surrender although numerous calls by the
communists for them to lay down arms were made. From that, several officers were
killed as the shooting continue and effect them.In the final hours of the fierce battle, then
the communists set fire to the officers station.

The auxiliary police force works closely with the Bukit Kepong police force.
Three of them were on duty as usual when the Bukit Kepong Police Station was attacked
by a group of communist terrorists about 185 people on 23 February 1950. The police
station defenses immediately set up to withstand fierce attacks from communist terrorists
using automatic weapons surrounding the police station. Their shooting was fierce and
the communist terrorists ordered the policeman to surrender but they ignored. The
fighting still continued and several members of the police station were killed.

Based on the strength of the police station defense, the communists began to use
the bad tactics. They arrested the policeman’s wives and forced her to order the members
who remained at the police station to surrender. Police officers responded to the call by
saying that they will not give up and will continue to fight the enemy. There are a few
policemen that were arrested by them. Then, when the villagers heard the noises and the
sound of the fighting, the villagers guards on ready rushed to Bukit Kepong. When they
arrived, they were attacked by the group of the communist terrorist and there were battle.
The villagers manage to fight the communist. The next battle is ensued when the
retreating communists terrorist group got help. But the unparalleled clashes between
terrorists using automatic weapons with village guards being killed and injured

This situation forced Penghulu Ali to mobilize the injured men to retreat while the
others had to survive around the town of Bukit Kepong. After surviving for 2 hours, the
communists terrorist retreated after setting the fire to the chief’s office and robbing the
shops there.

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FIGURE 1: MEMORIAL PICTURE OF BUKIT KEPONG POLICE MEMBERS
BEFORE THE POLICE STATION ATTACK 23 FEBRUARI 1950
ACCESSION NO: 1998/0009611W

FIGURE 2: BUKIT KEPONG POLICE STATION AREA
ACCESSION NO: 1998/0009611W

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FIGURE 3: POLICE STATION BURNED BY COMMUNISTS
ACCESSION NO: 1998/0009602W

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CHAPTER 3: THE FINAL STATE OF THE BATTLE AT BUKIT KEPONG

7

The tragedy in Bukit Kepong, which began on February 23, 1950, came to an end
the next morning when communist terrorists set fire to police stations and barracks. This
occurred as a result of the communists setting fire to the entire area of the police station
because the cops, along with their wives and children, refused to surrender to them. There
were only 3 police officers there at the time, along with the village guard who had
escaped the burning police station building. They had to rush out crashing into the
position of communist terrorists and have resulted in three communist terrorists being
killed. Only one of the remaining police officers was able to cross the river while holding
onto his rifle. The communist terrorists finally destroyed the police at the Bukit Kepong
police station after nearly hours of fighting the police and their family members, and they
then retreated into the jungle. Before to that, communist terrorists had burned the dead
and injured, including some who had been burned alive. Hassan bin Abu Bakar, a
constable's son, was one of them. Additionally, there were families of cops who had been
killed in the barracks burns (PEKHABAR, 2018).

When the sound of battle was heard by several nearby villages, the village guards
were prepared, and 7 individuals with penghulu Ali went to Bukit Kepong at the same
time. Unfortunately, a group of communist terrorists who attempted to obstruct their
humanitarian mission halted all of their journeys. A group did manage to get across the
river and make it to The Bukit Kepong Police Station, but by the time they arrived, it was
too late. The land surrounding the Bukit Kepong police station has already been
devastated (The Official Portal of Royal Malaysia Police, n.d.). The incident resulted in
the deaths of a total of 14 policemen, including Sergeant Jamil, four Village Guards,
three Auxiliary Police, Abu Bakar Daud's wife (the only surviving cop), and their three
children. There were 25 fatalities. Four police officers and nine family members,
including their spouses and kids, survived the battle (MSD Digital Intelligence Sdn Bhd,
n.d.). Due to the above, the penghulu temporarily took over the administration until the
Muar police force arrived and established a new police station on that day. In the empty
store, they also forge a group based on a motto.

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The local Malays community who were taking immediate action helped in this.
The Menteri Besar of Johor Dato, Onn Bin Jaafar, paid them a visit the following day. He
was accompanied by a British advisor and the head of the Johor Police Department and
said that the government will build a contemporary police station there.

FIGURE 4: BOAT USE BY THE POLICE OF BUKIT KEPONG
ACCESSION NO: 1998/0009606W

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CHAPTER 4 : NOTABLE INDIVIDUALS

10

Below are the twelve notable individuals who can be found in the Online Finding Aids of
National Archives of Malaysia.

FIGURE 5: SARJAN JAMIL BIN MOHD. SHAH
ACCESSION NO: 1998/0009612W

FIGURE 6: KPL 7068 MOHD. YASSIN BIN HJ. ABDL WAHAB
ACCESSION NO: 1998/0009618W

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FIGURE 7: L/KPL JIDIN B. OMAR
ACCESSION NO: 1998/0009619W

FIGURE 8: MM 60 IBRAHIM BIN ADAM
ACCESSION NO: 1998/0009615W

12

FIGURE 9: MM 3922 HAMZAH BIN AHMAD
ACCESSION NO: 1998/0009614W

FIGURE 10: MM 7493 MOHAMAD JAAFAR
ACCESSION NO: 1998/0009613W

13

FIGURE 11: MM 7645 YUSOF BIN RONO
ACCESSION NO: 1998/0009623W

FIGURE 12: MM 8680 JAAFAR BIN HASSAN
ACCESSION NO: 1998/0009616W

14

FIGURE 13: MM 9136 HASSAN BIN OTHMAN
ACCESSION NO: 1998/0009617W

FIGURE 14: MM ABU BAKAR BIN DAUD
ACCESSION NO: 1998/0009621W

15

FIGURE 15: MM AHMAD BIN KHALID
ACCESSION NO: 1998/0009622W

FIGURE 16: MM OTHMAN YUSOF
ACCESSION NO: 1998/0009620W

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CHAPTER 5: BUKIT KEPONG NOW

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The battle at Police Station Bukit Kepong resulted in a physical defeat but
produced a victory in terms of fighting spirit and the will to fight. A small group with a
strong desire to protect not just their own families and friends but also the entire country.
The sacrifices made by the people who died will never be forgotten in our heart. As a
result, there are distinctions between the old and new Bukit Kepong. It is regarded that
way since numerous changes have been made there. A new police station was constructed
to replace The Bukit Kepong Police Station, which was demolished as a result of the
tragic tragedy. Additionally, the government and Royal Malaysian Police constructed The
Gallery Darurat Bukit Kepong in an effort to preserve the historical event for future
generations (MSD Digital Intelligence Sdn Bhd, n.d.).

On 23 February 2017, The Gallery Darurat Bukit Kepong was inaugurated by
Duli Yang Maha Mulia Sultan Ibrahim Ibni Al-Marhum Sultan Iskandar and Duli Yang
Maha Mulia Raja Zarith Sofiah Binti Al-Marhum Sultan Idris Shah Al Mutawakkil
Allalahi Shah. The communist remains of equipment, the profiles of the heroes who died
in the attack, and the translation of the three-dimensional environment from the 1950s are
some of the historical items that may be seen and are still in good condition that visitors
to this exhibition will see. With the establishment of the gallery, we can educate the
current generation to take lessons and lessons from the tragedy that has claimed the lives
of the heroes of our country and nation.

FIGURE 17: BUKIT KEPONG EVENT GRAVE

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ACCESSION NO:2001/0049511W

FIGURE 18: BUKIT KEPONG POLICE STATION TODAY
ACCESSION NO: 1998/0009626W

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CONCLUSION
In conclusion, the Bukit Kepong incident is where the conflict between the
Federation of Malaya Police and the Malayan Communist Party happened at Bukit
Kepong police station on 23 February 1950. This incident shows that the people of Bukit
Kepong are brave because they fight against the Malayan Communist Party even though
they have to fight against more than 100 enemies. The National Archive of Malaysia has
the information regarding the incident.

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LIST OF ARCHIVAL MATERIALS

PICTURE

No. Accession Number Year Description
1 1998/0009611W
1998 MEMORIAL PICTURE OF BUKIT
KEPONG POLICE MEMBERS

BEFORE THE POLICE STATION
ATTACK 23 FEBRUARI 1950

2 1998/0009611W 1998 BUKIT KEPONG POLICE STATION

AREA

3 1998/0009602W 1998 POLICE STATION BURNED BY

COMMUNISTS

4 1998
1998/0009606W BOAT USE BY THE POLICE OF

BUKIT KEPONG

5 1998 SARJAN JAMIL BIN MOHD. SHAH
1998/0009612W

6 1998
1998/0009618W KPL 7068 MOHD. YASSIN BIN HJ.

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7 1998 ABDL WAHAB
1998/0009619W LKPL JIDIN B. OMAR

8 1998 MM 60 IBRAHIM BIN ADAM
1998/0009615W

9 1998 MM 3922 HAMZAH BIN AHMAD
1998/0009614W

10 1998 MM 7493 MOHAMAD JAAFAR
1998/0009613W

11 1998/0009623W 1998 MM 7645 YUSOF BIN RONO

12 1998
1998/0009616W MM 8680 JAAFAR BIN HASSAN

13 1998
1998/0009617W MM 9136 HASSAN BIN OTHMAN

14 1998 MM ABU BAKAR BIN DAUD
1998/0009621W

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15 1998 MM AHMAD BIN KHALID
1998/0009622W

16 1998 MM OTHMAN YUSOF
1998/0009620W

17 2001/0049511W 2001 BUKIT KEPONG EVENT GRAVE

18 1998
1998/0009626W BUKIT KEPONG POLICE STATION

TODAY

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LIST OF FIGURES

No. Figure Description
1 Figure 1 Memorial Picture Of Bukit Kepong Police Members Before
2 Figure 2
The Police Station Attack 23 Februari 1950
3 Figure 3
Bukit Kepong Police Station Area

Police Station Burned By Communists

4 Figure 4 Boat Use By The Police Of Bukit Kepong

5 Figure 5 Sarjan Jamil Bin Mohd Shah
6 Figure 6 KPL 7068 Mohd Yassin Bin Hj Abdl Wahab
7 Figure 7
8 Figure 8 LPKL Jidin B.Omar
9 Figure 9 MM 60 Ibrahim Bin Adam
10 Figure 10 MM 392 Hamzah Bin Ahmad
11 Figure 11 MM 7493 Mohammad Jaafar
12 Figure 12 MM 764 Yusof Bin Rono
13 Figure 13 MM 8660 Jaafar Bin Hassan
14 Figure 14 MM 9136 Hasaan Bin Othman
MM Abu Bakar Bin Daud

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15 Figure 15 MM Ahmad Bin Khalid
16 Figure 16 MM Othman Yusof
17 Figure 17
18 Figure 18 Bukit Kepong Event Grave
Bukit Kepong Police Station Today

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INDEXES
A
Accession Number, 3, 4, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 16
B
Bukit Kepong, 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 12, 13, 14, 15, 17, 19, 20
C
Communist, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 15, 16, 19
P
Police Station, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 13, 14, 15, 16, 18, 19, 20

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REFERENCES
Arkib Negara Malaysia. (2019, August 1). Tragedy Bukit Kepong, Johor.

http://hids.arkib.gov.my/#/site_vod_detail/87?prc=shw
Badrul Kamal Zakaria. (2018, December 10). Jejak Kesan Sejarah di Bukit

Kepong. Berita Harian Online. https://www.bharian.com.my/hujung-
minggu/kembara/2018/12/507399/jejak-kesan-sejarah-di-bukit-kepong
MSD Digital Intelligence Sdn Bhd. (n.d.). Galeri Darurat Bukit Kepong. MCMC.
http://kgraja.pjk.com.my/index.php/warga-pi1m/sosio-ekonomi/pelancongan/143-
galeri-darurat-bukit-kepong
MSD Digital Intelligence Sdn Bhd. (n.d.). Peristiwa Bukit Kepong. MCMC.
http://kgraja.pjk.com.my/index.php/warga-pi1m/maklumat-pi1m/sejarah/44-
sejarah
National Archive of Malaysia. (n.d.). Bukit Kepong. Online Finding Aids.
https://ofa.arkib.gov.my/ofa/group/index?OfaSolr_page=2&pageSize=10
PEKHABAR. (2018, February 23). Peristiwa Bukit Kepong. PeKhabar.
https://pekhabar.com/h-i-d-s-peristiwa-bukit-kepong/
The Official Portal of Royal Malaysia Police. (n.d.). DYMM Sultan Johor Rasmi
Galeri Darurat Bukit Kepong. https://www.rmp.gov.my/news-detail/2017/02/24/dymm-
sultan-johor-rasmi-galeri-darurat-bukit-kepong
The Official Portal of Royal Malaysia Police. (n.d.). Bukit Kepong.
https://www.rmp.gov.my/infor-korporate/polis-diraja-malaysia/sejarah/bukit-
kepong

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