At The Assembly Area Conducting Rehearsals With Egyptian And US Green Berets As The Quick Reaction Force

Author: Retired Major D. Swami, who served for twenty six years in the Malaysian armed forces. Narrative: The memoir follows his journey from a young recruit to a commissioned officer. It covers his experiences on the front lines, from jungle warfare during the communist insurgency in Malaysia to the peacekeeping operation in Somalia. 

Young Officers Of Seventh Rangers, L to R : Me, Ivan Lee, Fuad, Abdullah Salleh, Roslan and Mujah Anak Ganti

Beyond the battlefield: A core theme of the book is the internal struggle against a "quieter, crueler war" of prejudice and institutional bias. The title's reference to a "path less traveled" alludes to his choice to continue serving his country despite facing internal obstacles because of his heritage.

Warning and reminder: According to reviews, the memoir serves as a "warning and reminder" of how bias and prejudice can damage institutions. It suggests that a nation that does not treat all who serve equally is "still at war with itself". 

Having Beers With The Green Berets

Publication: The book was published with the assistance of Swami's former comrades after he underwent surgery, bringing his story to light. Specific instances of prejudice and institutional racism highlighted in the book include:

Betrayal in Somalia: A particularly stark and "depressing" example occurred during Swami's service in Somalia. While on a patrol mission for the World Food Programme, his platoon commander relayed orders from the operations officer to not return fire if shot at by the opposing faction. 

My UCIS Platoon

The reason given was that the opposing group were "our saudara"—a Malay word meaning "relatives" that was used here to refer to fellow Muslims. This discriminatory order placed Swami and his non-Muslim troops in a life-threatening situation and demonstrated how deeply bias had infiltrated command structures.

Promotion limitations: Beyond the direct threats, Swami's memoir, along with other observations on institutional racism in Malaysia, suggests that non-Malays face limited promotional prospects. While camaraderie might exist among the ranks, government policies favoring Malays are seen as limiting career advancement opportunities for non-Malays in the armed forces and other public institutions. 

The Late Captain (Dr) Jeffrey Austin Braganza Treating A Wounded Somali

General systemic bias: The memoir portrays a "quieter, crueler war" within the army where loyalty to country was not always reciprocated by the system. The prejudice he faced was not always overt but part of the institutional fabric, creating an environment where identity could take precedence over merit.

While many details remain specific to the contents of the book, reviews highlight how Swami's experiences illustrate the corrosive effect of racial and religious bias on military effectiveness and morale. The memoir is seen as a call to reflect on the treatment of non-Malay officers who have served loyally despite facing systemic challenges.His experiences lead to the following conclusions about Malaysian identity:

Based on his experiences, some conclusions about national identity that can be drawn include:

National identity is complex and multifaceted: National identity is shaped by a variety of factors, including shared experiences, cultural heritage, and institutional practices.

Challenges in multiethnic societies: In multiethnic nations, forming a cohesive national identity can be challenging due to differing perspectives and historical experiences among various groups.

The role of institutions: Institutions play a significant role in shaping national identity and can either foster unity or exacerbate divisions depending on their policies and practices.

The importance of shared values: A strong national identity often relies on shared values and a sense of belonging among all citizens, regardless of their background.A "quiet endurance": One review of the book frames Swami's story as a form of "quiet endurance". 

His memoir is not an act of vengeance but an act of service, revealing an uncomfortable truth about Malaysia's institutions. It argues that real patriotism lies in enduring and fighting for one's country even when the system fails you, not in empty slogans. Love of country over the system. 

By choosing to tell his story, Swami demonstrated that his loyalty was to the Malaysian flag and its people, not to the flawed bureaucratic "fabric" that betrayed him. His mission in retirement was to address the cracks in that fabric, not to leave the country behind. 

A blueprint for a better Malaysia Swami's actions after his service offer a blueprint for a more equitable future for Malaysia. Valuing merit over identity: His story implicitly asks if Malaysia can finally value service equally and "honour sacrifice without first asking who made it". 

This question is at the heart of building a national identity based on merit and not ethnic bias. The system challenged: The book positions Swami as a soldier who challenged the system itself. By doing so, he has shifted his battle from the physical battlefield to the ideological one, arguing that a nation that fails to value all who serve is a nation "still at war with itself". 

In essence, Swami’s post-military life, and specifically his decision to write his memoir, reflects a desire to heal the very institutional and social wounds that his career-long struggle had exposed. He continued to serve his country, not with a rifle, but with a powerful, truth-telling story, ultimately striving for a stronger, more inclusive Malaysian identity. 

The Book Of 361 Pages