Merican Sutan

Merican bin Sutan or 'Uncle Mac' (25 March 1918 -11 December 1991) is a former Malaysian police officer who served as Director of Internal Security and Public Order Department in 1970s. He is the founder of VAT 69 Commando.
Early life
Merican bin Sutan was born on 25 March 1918 in Alor Star. He attended school at Sultan Abdul Hamid College. He is married to Hasnah binti Abdullah and has 6 children. He is the father of Hassan Marican, the former President of Petronas.
Police career
Merican bin Sutan joined in the police on 4 May 1939 as a Cadet Sub-Inspector. He was the first Malay to become the Commandant of Kuala Lumpur Police Training Center after the country achieved independence, he held the position from 25 November 1957 to 24 November 1959. He previously had served as Negeri Sembilan, Pahang, Penang and Perak Police Chief. In 1956, Merican was awarded the Colonial Police Medal and in the same year, on 31 October 1956 when Merican served as Kelantan Deputy Police Chief, he was assigned as Honorary ADC to Duke of Edinburgh when he visited Kelantan. Merican was retired in 1973 at the age 55.
He also attended several courses in the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia.
The then Minister of Home Affairs Tun Ismail Abdul Rahman ordered Merican Sutan to establish an elite police force that is now known as VAT 69 in 1969. Merican Sutan asked for help from the SAS from the United Kingdom and New Zealand to train the VAT 69 members. In 1972, VAT 69 became an official unit in the eyes of the government under the name VAT 69 (Very Able Troopers) which later became known as 69 Commando.
Honours
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**50px Companion of the Order of the Defender of the Realm (JMN) (1958)
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**50px Recipient of the (PPM) (1965)
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**50px Commander of the Order of the Perak State Crown (PMP) (1963)
**50px Knight Commander of the Order of the Perak State Crown (DPMP) - Dato' (1970)
Commonwealth Honours
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**50px Recipient of the Colonial Police Medal (CPM) (1956)
Death
Merican Sutan died on 11 December 1991 from a kidney ailment.

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