KUCHING: The first Iban army officer to be promoted colonel, Colonel (R) Dunstan Nyaring Angking passed away at his residence in Batu Kawa here at the age of 77 on Wednesday morning.
Born on Aug 18, 1943 in Spaoh, Betong, the late Dunstan served with Royal Ranger Regiment from Jan 6, 1964 until Aug 9, 1991.
Dustan was the first Iban officer to attain the rank of full colonel in the Malaysian Army.
During the Indonesian confrontation in Nov 19,1966, while serving with the First Ranger regiment in Lundu, he received the Battle Truncheon presented by the first Governor of Sarawak Tun Abang Haji Openg Abang Sapi’ee.
He was a second lieutenant in May 21, 1966, when he led his platoon from Charlie Company against a group of four communist terrorists. In the ensuing battle, one of the terrorists was killed while the rest fled leaving behind blood trail.
Upon follow up, the three terrorists were found hiding in a cave and subsequently captured.
Dustan passed away at his residence in Jalan Stapok, Batu Kawa at 6.15am, leaving behind a wife, four children,nine grandchildren and one great grandson to mourn his loss.
He was the youngest among nine siblings which included the late Datuk Ignatius Angking – was one of Sarawak’s senior administrative officers, and served as Resident of the Third Division, and chief executive officer of Rajang Area Security Command (Rascom).
One of Dunstan’s grandchildren is Isaac Emmanuel Angking, an American-born Iban professional football player who plays for Major League Soccer club New England Revolution.
The late Dunstan will be laid to rest on Friday at the Anglican cemetery in Batu Kitang, 8th Mile, at 9am.
