Adnan Bin Saidi

Personal life

Adnan was born at Sungai Ramal near Kajang, Selangor and was a Muslim of Minangkabau descent. He was the eldest child in his whole family. His younger siblings, Ahmad Saidi and Amarullah Saidi, were also soldiers. Ahmad was killed in action after his ship, HMS Pelanduk, was sunk by the Japanese en route to Australia. Amarullah survived the war and now resides in Kajang, Selangor.

Adnan was married to his wife Sophia Pakir, an Islamic religious teacher. She died in 1949. They had two sons and a daughter, who died soon after birth. Their sons, Mokhtar and Zainudin Adnan now live in the state's of Seremban and Johorrespectively.

“

My father did not talk a lot. He was a strict man and believed in discipline. He was always serious and fierce… yet had a good heart. There seemed to be a ‘light’ illuminating his face. - Mokhtar, Adnan's son

”

^{[citation needed]}

[edit]Battle of Pasir Panjang

Main article: Battle of Pasir Panjang

Adnan led a 42-strong platoon from the Malay Regiment in the defense of Singapore against the invading Japanese. The soldiers fought at the Battle of Pasir Panjang, at Pasir Panjang Ridge in the Bukit Chandu (Opium Hill) area on 12–14 February 1942. Although heavily outnumbered, Adnan refused to surrender and urged his men to fight until the end. They held off the Japanese for two days amid heavy enemy shelling and shortages of food and ammunition. Adnan was shot but carried on fighting until he succumbed to his injury. After the battle was lost, the Japanese soldiers tied his body to a cherry tree and bayoneted it.^{[citation needed]}

Because of his actions Adnan is currently considered by Malaysians and Singaporeans today as a hero. In their textbooks, he is also credited as the soldier who caught the disguised "Indian troops" marching error in four abreast (Japanese marching style) instead of a line of three (British style of marching).^[1][2][3][4]

When Singapore surrendered, the Japanese Kempeitai attempted but failed to find and murder Adnan's family in revenge.^{[citation needed]}

Kent Ridge Park, close to the site of the battle, now bears a plaque in commemoration of Lt Adnan Bin Saidi. A museum at Bukit Chandu stands in memory of the bravery of Malay Regiment soldiers. This regiment would later become the Royal Malay Regiment of the Royal Malaysian Army.

The Malaysian version of the Turkish-designed ACV-300 infantry fighting vehicle currently in service with the Malaysian Army was given the name "Adnan" in honour of Lt. Adnan.

In Sungai Ramal, Kajang there is a primary school Sekolah Kebangsaan Leftenan Adnan was named after him.