SIBU, Dec 9: A member of the General Operations Force (PGA), the late Sergeant Simon Laja, 47, who was killed in a riverine tragedy in Ulu Baram on December 3 was buried at the Nirvana Memorial Park here today.
The funeral service was performed according to police honours attended by his family members, relatives, and friends who were present to pay their last respects.
Also present were Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, Bukit Aman Department of Homeland Security and Public Order director Datuk Seri Abd Rahim Jaafar, Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Aidi Ismail, Sarawak PGA Commander SAC Mancha Ata and Sibu District Police Chief, ACP Stanley Jonathan Ringgit.
Simon, a member of the 12th PGA Battalion in Miri and an assistant police sergeant Kemian Dugat, 50, were killed after being swept away by a waterhead while conducting a patrol routine at the Sabah-Sarawak Gas Pipeline (SSGP) area in Sungai Melana, Long Kerangan in Ulu Baram at about 6pm that day.
Aidi in a media statement on December 5 said the two victims along with five other patrol members were passing through a shallow river area before the area was hit by a gush of water.
“Simon and Kemiang were swept away by the strong current while the other five managed to save themselves,” he said.
Immediately after the incident, seven PGA members with the help of Lanyun Camp workers searched for them before the two were found drowned on December 4. Simon’s body was found at 2.00 pm while Kemiang’s body was found half an hour later. Simon, who hails from Sungai Berangan, Sarikei, is survived by a widow, Ensunie Ungat, 45, and five children aged five to 24. – DayakDaily
