KUCHING, March 7: The late ASP Wilfred Gomez Malong was posthumously awarded with ‘Pingat Jasa Pahlawan Negara’ by Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM).
Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata, in a statement, said the award to recognise Wilfred’s bravery in a battle on June 20, 1973 with Communist insurgents at Ulu Poi, Kanowit.
“In the battle, Wilfred and two other police officers managed to fend off and emerged victorious in the battle despite being outnumbered,” he said.
The award was received by Wilfred’s son, Isaac Alexander Gomez in a ceremony at Dewan Pahlawan of the Sarawak General Operations Force Headquarters yesterday (March 6).
Mancha added that Wilfred was also awarded the ‘Pingat Gagah Berani (PGB)’ from the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong in 1974.
“This make him the youngest recipient in Malaysia to be awarded with the title at the age of 24,” he said.
Born in Betong, Wilfred retired from the police force in 1980. He passed away on Feb 5, 2013 at the age of 63 and was laid to rest at the Kampung Entingan cemetery in Kota Samarahan. — DayakDaily
