Saturday March 9, 2013

Lahad Datu: Families begin to accept their loss

SABAK BERNAM: The widow of Special Forces commando Sjn Sabaruddin Daud has finally begun to accept that her husband is never coming back.

“It's difficult but we have to move on,” said housewife Nurunnisa Abu Bakar, 42, a mother of three.

Sjn Sabaruddin was killed in a clash with armed Sulu gunmen at Kampung Tanduo on March 2. Then a corporal, he was posthumously promoted to the rank of sergeant.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak visited the family at their home in Kampung Sungai Lias near here yesterday and presented RM20,000 from Yayasan Kelana Ehsan and an undisclosed personal contribution.

“The Prime Minister told me he was proud of my husband's bravery and sacrifice for the country.

“He told me to stay strong,” she said, adding that messages of support from family, friends and members of the Police Family Association (Perkep) had kept her going.

Gesture of sympathy: Najib presenting the contributions to Nurunnisa while her children (from left) Hazreq Zarif, 12 and Haziq Wahiduzzaman, 19, look on. — Bernama

Sjn Sabaruddin's brother Che Azni Ahmadun, 49, said the family was still mourning the loss.

“We are very proud of him. Our prayers are with all the army and police personnel still on duty in Sabah,” he said.

In Semporna, old photographs of Sjn Abdul Azis Sarikon, 47, brought his widow Sitti Bandorah Mahalil a measure of comfort amid the sorrow.

The General Operations Force policeman was killed in a fire fight on March 2 when his team entered Kg Simunul in Semporna.

Holding together: Sitti Bandorah comforting three of her four children Nurul Liyana (left), Nurul Syazwani and Mohd Aiman after receiving contributions from Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi at their home in Semporna.

He leaves behind four children - Mohd Faridzulhelmy, 19, Nurul Liyana, 16, Nurul Syazwani, 13, and Mohd Aiman Hakimi, eight.

“He loved to take photographs. He used to say that it was a way to remember where we went because we may not go there again,” said Sitti Bandorah.

Mohd Faridzulhelmy recalled the two sides of his father.

“He was very loving and never strict with us but at work he was different,” he said.

The family received contributions from Deputy Education Minister Dr Mohd Puad Zarkashi as well as Rural and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Shafie Apdal when they visited them yesterday.

News

Saturday March 9, 2013

Lahad Datu: Families begin to accept their loss