KUALA LUMPUR: It was an exciting scene as police personnel acted out a pantomime based on the Lahad Datu tragedy, but for five of the performers, it was only too real.
Their fathers were killed in the Sulu intrusion.
Three of them were children of the late Asst Supt Zulkifli Mamat – Mohd Akmal Amuruddin, 15, Noor Muhammad Aqil, 11, and Noor Aqib Syahid, 10, while two more – Haziq Wahiduzzaman, 28, and Hareq Zafri, 21 – were the sons of Sjn Sabarudin Daud.
The presence of the dead policemen’s children lent an air of sadness to this year’s 216th Police Day celebration.
Raja Permaisuri Agong Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah was visibly emotional, while Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was teary-eyed when watching the pantomime.
The event was also graced by Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
The performance showcased the operation to combat the intrusion by a group claiming to be descendants of the Sulu Sultanate from the southern Philippines, and involved more than 80 police personnel.
Oficers from the special task force of the Royal Malaysian Police participate in a march-past.
On March 1, 2013, ASP Zulkifli and Sjn Sabarudin were killed in a clash with the Sulu militant group in Kampung Tanduo. The troops killed 12 of the trespassers.
The next day, six police personnel were killed in an ambush at Kampung Sri Jaya Simunul, Semporna.
Those who were killed were Asst Comm Ibrahim Lebar, Asst Supt Michael Padel, Sjn Abdul Azis Sarikon, L/Kpl Mohd Azrul Tukiran, Sjn Detective Baharin Hamit, Kpl Salam Tugiran and Pbt Ahmad Hurairah Ismail.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani paid tribute to the fallen policemen, saying their sacrifices had led to peace and prosperity in the country.
“The police have experienced various challenges since the inception of the force on March 25, 1807.
“Our police personnel and officers will carry on the struggle to preserve peace and prosperity in the country,” he said in his speech at the Police Training Centre here yesterday.
Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who is the Home Minister, and Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, who is the Deputy IGP, were also present.
The theme of Police Day this year is “The police and society are inseparable”.
The celebration yesterday involved some 543 senior officers and personnel from various departments. There was a flypast by three police helicopters bearing the Jalur Gemilang and the Sang Saka Biru flags.
The King also inspected the guard of honour, accompanied by the IGP.
