Friday January 2, 2009

USJ loses a caring cop

By LIM CHIA YING

USJ residents have lost a police officer whom they regarded as a close friend and a caring community cop.

The passing of Chief Inspector Foo Teik Fong, who is the officer-in-charge of the USJ 8 police station, came as a shock to many of those who knew him. He was 49.

Foo: Died after complaining of chest pains while in the midst of a police operation in USJ.

Foo died on Tuesday (Dec 30) night while being rushed to the Subang Jaya Medical Centre (SJMC) after complaining of chest pains while in the midst of a police operation in USJ.

His remains were later sent to the University Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) for a post-mortem.

He leaves behind wife Alice and a two-and-half-year-old child.

It is learnt that the wake is being held at the NV Alliance in Sungai Besi until tonight. The funeral is tomorrow.

Selangor CPO Deputy Comm Datuk Khalid Abu Bakar said Foo was a dedicated and hardworking officer who was liked by the people of Subang Jaya.

“He had been serving in Selangor for the last 10 years and news of his passing came as a shock to us,” said Khalid.

Subang Jaya OCPD Asst Comm Zainal Abu Bakar said Foo’s demise was a great loss to the police force.

“About two monthsago, he was on medical leave for a while as was feeling unwell.

“His death is unexpected and a shock to us,” he said.

USJ Residents Association honorary secretary Eileen Cheah, whose RA had been working closely with Foo on various crime prevention campaigns, said Foo was a dedicated and thorough policeman who provided assistance beyond the call of duty.

“He was a dear friend to those of us who had the privilege of working with him,” she said.

Subang Jaya assemblyman Hannah Yeoh said in the nine months since she became an elected assemblyman, Foo had given his utmost cooperation and responded to her calls and text messages (SMS).

“I’m saddened by his passing. It is a great loss to the people of USJ.”

Foo, who hails from Kedah, had served the USJ 8 police station for about two years after being transferred from the Putra Heights police station of which he was also the officer-in-charge.

One of his initiatives was making USJ one of the first police districts to kick off the community policing concept.

Khalid said for the time being, Foo’s deputy would take over as acting officer-in-charge.

Former Subang Jaya assemblyman Datuk Lee Hwa Beng said the whole of USJ was saddened by Foo’s death as he was a policeman who had served the people well.

This writer’s last meeting with him was more than three weeks ago during a hi-tea gathering organised by the USJRA for the police at the 3K Complex. Foo had even promised a tour of the new USJ 8 police station once it is officially opened..

Meanwhile, some USJ residents have initiated a donation drive to help Foo’s family.

To donate, log on to www.sjalert.com.my for details.