Ops Daulat: 953 get medals
Published on: Tuesday, February 19, 2019
KOTA KINABALU: Almost 1,000 police personnel and civilians who served in “Ops Daulat” during the Lahad Datu intrusion by Sulu militants in 2013 received medals during a ceremony, here, Monday.
Chief Minister Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal handed over the Pingat Kedaulatan Negara to 953 policemen and civilians at the State Legislative Assembly building.
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Among those present were Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Fuzi Harun, his Deputy Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim and Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Omar Mammah.
Shafie said the medals were not to compensate the force but the Government had to appreciate their sacrifice to ensure Sabah was safe.
“Our policemen have made a sacrifice of not just their time but also their families and lives. We thank the Inspector-General of Police and all his people,” Shafie told reporters after the ceremony.
“I guarantee that the Sabah Government will lend all the support it can so that we can not only fight criminal elements but also care for those who keep us safe as we still face security threats not just in the country but also outside.”
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More than 8,000 police and military personnel as well as civilians were involved in the operation, according to the event’s master of ceremony.
He said Malaysian forces killed 72 intruders, captured five and apprehended 551 people for involvement with the intrusion made by the so-called Sulu Sultanate.
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Ten policemen and two army troopers fell during the standoff.
Shafie also pledged the State’s locally based assistance to whatever initiatives the Federal Government, specifically the Foreign Ministry, will come up with in helping to promote economic development as one of the drivers of peace in Mindanao, southern Philippines.
Part of Mindanao recently voted for the creation of a new Bangsamoro autonomous region that is hoped to pave the way for peace in the southern Philippines that has seen 120,000 people killed in separatist violence since the 1970s.
“It’s up to the Malaysian Government or the Foreign Ministry what support they will give,” said Shafie.
“But we in Sabah can help in sectors such as construction so that our efforts are not based on security only but also the economy.”
Fuzi said police are cooperating well with all relevant agencies to stem any spillover from conflicts in southern Philippines.Stay up-to-date by following Daily Express’s Telegram channel.
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