Dear Apai Tuai George (Alice)
I am not in the position to cast any sort of opinion with regards to Robert Rizal. His was one of the books I pulled off the library shelf when I began my research. I will now leave it at that. ;-)
What I am about to say next I hope you or anybody else who reads this post will not think me pompous! If I come across as such an individual I can only beg for your pardon as I assure you it is not my personal disposition.
About 8 or so months into my research, I became rather consumed with this subject and decided that I would take on this challenge which is a field whereby I'm totally ignorant. I knew from research experiences that what one digs up in the archives never beats face to face, upclose and personal experiences with one's subject matter. I requested from the GOC a meet up and interview session with these veterans; he agreed to my idea and said he would arrange for such session with the ones who are currently based in Kuching. Later I was advised that there are a few Trackers & Sarawak Rangers registered with the SRVA Baru in Lubok Antu and that Capt Johari would take me there should I so wish to visit such a remote area.
I could not believe what was being offered to me! I immediately agreed to it and when I was in Kuching I met up with Capt Johari. We planned our trip. Whilst we were there I met and interviewed 6 of them and including papers of deceased SR Kiai ak Inyang made 7.
On our journey back to Kuching, Capt Johari and I were silent mulling over all that we have seen and stories we have heard. Unbeknownst to us both then, we were actually contemplating our next move which is to cater for the welfare of these esteemed veterans. However, Capt Johari did post me a question, "Magdelene, how did you manage to get them to speak to you the way they did? They were so forthcoming with so much details and shared so much. I thought I knew them, but the truth is I don't. I am ashamed. Thank you for all you've achieved this time round."
So now we come to the obvious answer to your question as to why Robert Rizal never had these. I didn't dig this up in any Government Archives nor did I with my "well-placed contacts" gained access to Military Archives. This pictures and information alongside them that I have posted so far are all mine. I sourced them myself from my ground zero trip to Lubok Antu.
I don't know what it is Apai Tuai George, I have no answer to the satisfy Capt Johari's query. But one thing for sure and that is I am genuine and possess no ulterior motives except I have only their best interest at heart. I don't want their sacrifices to go unnoticed, buried under the sands of time now that I am made fully aware of them.
I want them and those who fought alongside them immortalised.
indu Sarawak Magdelene