FOR Leftenan Jeneral Datuk Johnny Lim Eng Seng, the past 41 years in the Armed Forces, specifically the Army, have been more than a career. It has been a lifelong calling marked by courage, sacrifice, and an unbreakable bond of brotherhood.
His recent promotion as the first Chinese officer to attain the rank of Leftenan Jeneral is a proud milestone, not only for him but also for the military as a whole, says the commandant of the National Resilience College (NRC).
“It’s not just about me. It’s about showing that with hard work and merit, anyone, regardless of background, can rise through the ranks. Respect is earned through service, not skin colour,” he tells Sunday Star.
Humble beginnings
Born and raised in Melaka, the third of five siblings, Lim’s journey began at St Francis Insti-tution before he enrolled in the Royal Military College (RMC). He entered the RMC in 1984 and later earned a coveted spot at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst in the United Kingdom, one of the world’s most prestigious military training institutions. He was eventually commissioned into the Royal Ranger Regiment in December 1986
A young Lim (right) at Sandhurst.
His decision to enlist was not without family debate, he says.
“My mother was worried,” he recalls with a smile. “The communist insurgency was still ongoing then, and she feared for my safety. But my father and grandfather, who had served in a voluntary force, told me, if I choose this path, I must serve well.”
Lim’s first deployment was during the tail end of the communist insurgency.
The memories that stand out most, however, are not of battles, but of brotherhood, he says.
“The camaraderie, the friendships. Those are priceless. Once a soldier, always a soldier.”
His intake from RMC remains close-knit even decades later.
“Many have retired, but the bond never fades. We went through everything together – the good, the bad, the laughter and the tears.”
One thing he will never forget is how fellow soldiers rallied around him when his wife, Gloria, fell gravely ill.
“Their support carried me through. The Army is a family. You never walk alone,” he remembers fondly.
Experience in combat
The camaraderie and support was equally important in combat, Lim notes.
Concealing firearms in gunny sacks was among the tactics they used during operations to track down members of the North Kalimantan Com-munist Party (NKCP) in 1989 in Sarawak.
Recounting his experience, Lim says he often operated without wearing his military uniform and would travel in unmarked four-wheel-drive vehicles or even hitch rides on logging trucks to avoid detection by the enemy.
“It was a tactic to deceive the enemy. We also conducted operations in several logging camps around Tatau and Bintulu in Sarawak.”
Lim says he and his team would often come across “food dumps” – hidden sites where communist insurgents buried supplies of food, ammunition and weapons deep in the jungle.
He learned many of these jungle warfare and deception techniques during a tactics and techniques course on communist operations organised by the 91st Special Combat Intelligence Regiment in Batu Gajah, Perak.
“The instructors were former communist members who had surrendered, known as Bobby and Robson.
“They taught us tricks used during jungle operations, including how to identify food dumps and booby traps,” he says.
The memories that stand out most for Limare not of battles, but of brotherhood.
A display of some of the important moments in Lim’s career.
Lim sharing some of his photos and memorabiliaduring the course of his military career. — Photos: SAMUEL ONG/The Star
One of his most memorable experiences was during an operation to locate the “Flower Garden” communist camp along the Malaysia-Thailand border from March until April 1987.
“A full battalion was mobilised into the jungle and divided into smaller units. Some of my comrades carried out direct attacks on enemy positions,” he says.
The missions were perilous, with the jungles filled with hidden explosives and traps.
“The trails were extremely dangerous. It was heartbreaking to see many of my comrades injured or killed by booby traps,” he says as he recalls his stint in the Royal Ranger Regiment.
Service, love, and loss
Over four decades, Lim has served in nearly every major capacity an officer could hold – from platoon leader and company commander to Chief Instructor at the Army Combat Training Centre (Pulada), and as the Malaysian Institute of Defence and Security studies director, and Brigade Commander in Sarawak.
He also spent two years in South Korea, first studying the language and later completing a National Security course at the Korean National Defense University, writing his thesis in English even though most classes were in Korean. He now holds two Masters degrees.
In 2017, Lim was promoted to Brigadier Jeneral, followed by Mejar Jeneral, and then – in a historic moment for the Armed Forces – Leftenan Jeneral earlier this year, making him the first Chinese to reach the rank in the Army.
“This promotion wasn’t symbolic. It was based on courses completed, performance, and experience. It’s a message that our Army rewards merit,” he stresses.
He has lived with the same dedication in his personal life.
Lim married Gloria Nu’uh, a Sarawakian bank officer, in 1993. Together they had a son, Neville, now 31, who pursued a career as a chef rather than following in his father’s military footsteps.
Two years ago, Gloria died after suffering two strokes – a loss that still weighs deeply on Lim.
“She was my anchor,” he says quietly. “I owe so much to her patience and strength.”
Now nearing retirement, Lim plans to spend more time with family and friends while continuing to contribute to the nation through talks on leadership and integrity.
“I see this as a transition, not an end. It’s my turn to give back.”
Lim sharing some of his photos and memorabilia from his life.
Principles and passion
As he prepares to hang up his uniform in January, Lim remains committed to the principles that guided him from day one: duty, integrity, and unity.
“National defence belongs to everyone – Malay, Chinese, Indian, Dayak, Kadazan, all Malaysians.
“We all share the same flag, the same soil. The Army is a reflection of that,” he said.
He hopes his story will inspire more young Malaysians, especially from the Chinese community, to consider a career in uniform.
“It’s a noble profession,” he says. “If I were reborn, I would choose the same path.”
Outside of the barracks, Lim is a man of many passions – strumming the guitar to 1980s soul classics, reading history books, and cheering on hockey matches.
“My favourite films include A Bridge Too Far, First Blood, and The Sound of Music,” he says, displaying his eclectic taste.
“As for music, I really like 1980s soul music from Lionel Richie and Anita Baker. I also love Malay songs, especially by Sheila Majid, Siti Nurhaliza, and Ning Baizura,” he says.
As he looks to the next chapter, he likens retirement to the calm after a long mission.
“It’s like riding into the sunset. Mission accomplished.”
