Kuala lumpur: As the Jalur Gemilang flies across the country in conjunction with the National Day and Malaysia Day 2026 (HKHM), a photographer has chosen to ignite the spirit of patriotism from a different perspective.
According to BERNAMA News Agency, through his lens, Sim Wei Lim, or better known as Bilis, captures the stories of the people behind the uniforms who are willing to risk their lives to safeguard the nation's peace and sovereignty. For Sim, the most touching images are not of defense personnel wielding weapons, but of moments when they take off their helmets, wipe away their sweat, and smile with their comrades after completing a mission.
'Many see them as superheroes, but I want Malaysians to see them as ordinary people, someone's son, a husband and a father who continues to shoulder the responsibility of defending the country,' he told Bernama recently. Sim's interest in photography began when he was still in school, and he joined a photography club to hone his talent and skills. After completing his studies, he turned Dataran Merdeka into an 'open classroom' to further develop his skills, before his work caught the attention of VAT69 personnel, who eventually gave him the opportunity to document the elite unit's activities.
According to Sim, photography has a special quality as it can freeze a moment and preserve memories that may never be recreated as time passes. 'Today's photograph may seem ordinary today. But 10 or 20 years later, it becomes a record of a struggle that can never be repeated,' said the 38-year-old Selangor native. One of the experiences that left the deepest impression on him was photographing the late Zulkifli Mamat in 2011, unaware that it would become the first and last photograph of the VAT69 officer before he was killed during Ops Sulu in 2013.
Since then, Sim said he no longer deletes any photographs he takes, believing that each photo could one day become a final memory for a family, friends, and the nation. 'Every photo has a story. We do not know which photo will one day become the most valuable,' he said, adding that the biggest challenge in photographing security forces is not finding the best angle, but preserving the trust placed in him.
He said every photograph must be carefully vetted to ensure it does not reveal operational tactics, asset strength, or sensitive information that could compromise national security. 'I would rather not publish a photograph than reveal something that could harm the country. That is why I always seek the personnel's permission before publishing photos,' he stressed.
Sim said that throughout his time accompanying VAT69, Grup Gerak Khas (GGK), PASKAL, and PASKAU personnel, he had learned that true strength lies not only in combat skills but also in humility, sincerity, and a spirit of helping one another. 'While we sleep soundly, they remain on guard to protect the nation's borders and sovereignty. They are not superheroes who wear costumes, but heroes who fight with their hearts,' he said.
Sim said he hopes more moments depicting the struggles of security personnel can be documented as part of the nation's heritage, for future generations to learn about history not only through books but also from the photographs of those who defended Malaysia's independence.