Adnan bin Saidi

Lieutenant Adnan Bin Saidi, (? 1915- 14 February 1942) was a Malayan hero at the Battle of Singapore in World War II. He was born at Kajang, Selangor and was a Muslim from the Minangkabau (Western Sumatra) tribe.

Adnan led a 42-strong platoon from the Royal Malay Regiment in the defence of Singapore against the Japanese invaders. The soldiers fought bravely 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. After the battle was lost, the wounded Adnan was taken prisoner by Japanese soldiers, who tied him to a cherry tree and bayonetted him to death.

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.