Kota Kinabalu: Each time Dzulkifli Hj Abar, 56, sets his eyes on the historical glasses commemorating Independence Day 48 years ago, he cannot help but cry.The 12 glasses which bear the portraits of "Father of Independence" Tunku Abdul Rahman flanked by the national and Umno flags evoke strong feelings in the retired policeman.
"Actually there were 20 pieces of the glasses that I inherited from my late mother-in-law but now only 12 are left as eight broke at one time or another when I was transferred to places in the country.
"The glasses always remind me of the late colleagues of mine in the paramilitary of the 12th Battalion Royal Malaysian Police Force (PDRM) who sacrificed their lives for our beloved country.
"At that time, I served in the 16th Battalion to fight the communists in Bau, Lundu in Sarawak in the 1970s.
"The sight of rifles brought back was a tell-take sign that our colleagues had died fighting against communists during the insurgency," he related tearfully to Daily Express.
Dzulkifli, who hails from Ranau, said he still remembers how he and his colleagues endured challenges and difficulties to fight the communists and protect the nation with their lives.
The father of six said he would bequeath the remaining glasses to his children who have been taught to cherish the country's independence.
Dzulkifli lamented that present day youths do not seem to appreciate the coming celebration of the 48th Independence Day as they appear to be taking it for granted.
He said the younger generation should, in fact, learn the history of Independence so as to have a better understanding of freedom.
In that way, he said, they would recognise and acknowledge the struggles of the security forces and leaders who fought relentlessly for the country's Independence.
