Apot Saad, ‘the Big Nose Trekker’, Dies Aged 75

KAMPAR, Sept 14 (Bernama) -- Retired Police Sergeant Major Apot Saad, renowned by the moniker ‘The Big Nose Trekker’ in the elite Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) VAT69 Commando unit, passed away at Kampar Hospital just after midnight last night. He was 75.

He died at12.40 am due to a lung infection and respiratory distress.

His son, Sergeant Mulyadi Apot, 42, said that on Sept 1, his father was admitted to the hospital due to difficulty in breathing, and the doctors confirmed that his lungs were infected.

“At that time, his condition was quite critical; he was said to be in a severe stage with a high fever and he was struggling to breathe and needed oxygen.

“After Sept 11, the doctor said his condition was improving, but we were shocked when he passed away early this morning,” he said.

Mulyadi said he also felt regretful because he had intended to visit his father last night but on his mother’s request for him to rest first after just returning from a long journey from Pengkalan Hulu, the visit was postponed.

“In November 2023, my father’s heart stopped twice at Kampar Hospital, and the doctors tried to give him heart pressure medication. They then decided to transfer him to Ipoh, where he was sedated in the CCU ward for two weeks,” he said.

Mulyadi, who is their fourth child, said that throughout his father’s life, he often advised him to be a police officer with integrity.

“The most significant advice he gave me as a police officer was to always work with integrity, honesty, and loyalty and not to do anything that breaks the law.

“That was the advice he gave most frequently, along with various other pieces of advice to take care of the family and, most importantly, health. He set an example with his own life, which I see now as a reflection of how to live,” he added.

He said that his father will be buried at the Kampung Batu Berangkai Orang Asli Cemetery at 4 pm today.

Meanwhile, Perak Police Chief, Datuk Azizi Mat Aris, on behalf of all PDRM personnel expressed  condolences to his family.

“Any assistance required by the family can be communicated to the police,” he said when met while paying his last respects to the police veteran in Batu Berangkai, Kampar today.

In 2013, Apot was the sole recipient of the Panglima Gagah Berani award in conjunction with the celebration of the then  Yang di-Pertuan Agong Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah's birthday.

Apot's career in the PDRM began as a member of the Senoi Praaq before he transferred to VAT 69 in 1970. He is considered one of the pioneering Orang Asli figures who fought against the communists.

Apot, known as a tracking expert and nicknamed ‘The Big Nose Trekker’, was feared by communist terrorists.

Among the successful operations he was involved in were Ops Catfish, Ops Kambing, Ops Bamboo, Ops Manis and Ops Indera, conducted in Selangor, Pahang, Kelantan and Perak.

Apot was given the state funeral ceremony that concluded with the presentation of the Jalur Gemilang by the Perak Deputy Police Chief DCP Zulkafli Sariat to his wife, Krig Sudin, 77.

He was laid to rest with the assistance of several members of the elite unit of the Royal Malaysia Police VAT69 Commando at 5.25 pm.

Also present were the Commander of VAT69 Commando Senior Assistant Commissioner Hamzah Hashim, Kampar District Police Chief Supt Mohamad Nazri Daud, and the former vice-president of VAT69 Commando Veterans Association DSP (Rtd) Mohd Noor Razak.

-- BERNAMA