1976: BOTAK CHIN

On 16 February 1976, one of Malaysia's most notorious criminal chapters came to a violent end. This was the day Wong Swee Chin, better known as Botak Chin, was finally captured by the police after a high-stakes shootout in Kuala Lumpur.

The events of that night were the culmination of a massive manhunt led by a special police task force. Here are the key details of what happened:

The Final Showdown

• Location: The Eng Leong Sawmill at 6 Kilometer, Jalan Ipoh, Kuala Lumpur (now the MRT Station Jalan Ipoh)
• The Ambush: After weeks of intelligence gathering, a specialized police squad known as the "Magnificent 12" (led by DSP S. Kulasingam) tracked Botak Chin and his remaining gang members to the sawmill.
• The Shootout: A fierce gun battle ensued. Botak Chin was severely wounded, taking six gunshots to his body, but he miraculously survived the initial engagement.
• The Capture: He was arrested at the scene along with several associates. Police recovered a significant cache of weapons, including three pistols, 75 rounds of ammunition, and two hand grenades.

Background & Aftermath

• The "Robin Hood" Persona: Despite his violent crimes—which included bank robberies and the attempted assassination of DSP Kulasingam—Botak Chin was a polarizing figure. He claimed to rob the rich to help the poor, and some believed the name "Botak" was actually an acronym for Bantu Orang Tak Ada Kerja (Help the Unemployed).
• Legal Proceedings: He was the first person to be tried under the Internal Security Act (ISA) for the possession of firearms, which carried a mandatory death sentence.
• Execution: After several failed escape attempts and appeals (including an assessment by a psychiatrist who famously labeled him a "misguided genius"), Botak Chin was executed by hanging at Pudu Prison on 11 June 1981.

THE MAGNIFICENT 12

The Magnificent 12 was an elite special task force of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) formed in 1976 with one specific mission: to hunt down and capture Malaysia's most wanted criminal, Botak Chin.

While the media gave them the "Magnificent 12" moniker, the team members often jokingly referred to themselves as the "Dirty Dozen." This was because they spent weeks living out of cars and in rough conditions, forgoing shaving and bathing to stay undercover while tracking the gang.

The Team Composition

The unit was led by the legendary DSP S. Kulasingam (affectionately known as "Super Cop" or "DSP Kula"). Kulasingam had a personal stake in the mission; just months prior, Botak Chin's gang had ambushed him at a traffic light, riddled his car with 11 bullets, and left him with a shattered rib and a punctured lung—an injury he incredibly survived.

Key members of the squad included:

1. DSP S. Kulasingam: The lead strategist and commander.
2. ASP Gilbert Ang: One of the primary tactical leads.
3. ASP Edward Gui Poh Choon: A veteran detective who worked closely with Kulasingam.
4. DSP Kenneth James Woodworth: A senior officer from the Serious Crimes Branch (D9) who played a pivotal role in the final sawmill raid.
5. ASP Bahwandi Hiralal: A key field officer (Malaysian Footballer)
6. ASP M.Rajalingam
7. ASP Lim Meng Aw
8. ASP Chua Leng Kew
9. Insp. Ong Kim Hock
10. Det. Sergeant Chong Kim Hwa
11. Det. Corporal Lim Tee Siang  
12. Det. Corporal Leong See Fook: Experienced NCOs who provided the tactical backbone for raids.

The Operation

The team spent only about two weeks of intense, round-the-clock intelligence gathering before they located Botak Chin’s hideout at the Eng Leong Sawmill on Jalan Ipoh.

On the night of 16 February 1976, the team split into two groups:

1. Frontal Assault: Led by ASP Gilbert Ang.
2. Rear Flank: Led by DSP Kenneth Woodworth.

When the signal was given, the team moved in. Despite Botak Chin's gang being armed with firearms and grenades, the Magnificent 12's superior coordination led to a decisive victory. They neutralized two gang members, wounded Botak Chin with six shots, and arrested him without losing a single officer.

Legacy

The success of the Magnificent 12 is often cited as a turning point in Malaysian policing, showcasing the effectiveness of specialized, small-unit task forces against organized crime. Many members of the squad, including Kulasingam and Woodworth, became legendary figures in the force, though they often remained humble, describing themselves simply as "men doing a job."

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18 January 2026: 1.05 p.m