It was the night when communist terrorists attacked the Bukit Kepong police station in Johor, killing 23 officers and men in a three-hour shootout. Tan Sri J.J Raj, then aged 29, was the police chief of the nearby Pagoh district.

"I had mixed feelings of extreme anger and profound sadness," he recounted, days after celebrating his 100th birthday at his home in Damansara Kim, Petaling Jaya, recently.

Recounting the night of the Bukit Kepong attack, Tan Sri J.J Raj said he had visited the station for an inspection and security briefing that morning and left at about 7pm.

With the communist insurgency still a major threat, Tan Sri J.J Raj patrolled the village, accompanied by village chief Ali Mustapha and sargeant Jamil Mohd Shah. When he left that night, Tan Sri J.J Raj assigned 10 Jungle Squad constables to beef up the defence. At about 4.30 am the following day, the terrorists struck.

"Upon receiving the news, I rushed to Bukit Kepong with the Tiger Squad. The only way was by boat but when we arrived at the jetty, we found that our boat had been burned. We ended up traversing the jungle and swamp for three hours to reach the police station," he added.

Read further on The Sun's article attached.