By Nancy Nais
KOTA SAMARAHAN, Dec 24: This year marked seven years since police officer DSP Michael Padel’s passing, one of the eight policemen who were killed during the Ops Daulat offensive against Sulu terrorists in Lahad Datu, Sabah in March 2013.
Michael’s widow Jabah Mingku Voon, 40, who received some contribution from the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) and Federal Agricultural Marketing Authority (Fama), was grateful that the sacrifices of these fallen heroes were still being remembered.
Sarawak Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Dev Kumar M.M. Sree presented the contribution to Jabah, who was one of the eight widows, in a brief ceremony at her house today.
“Although Christmas this year is not the first time for my son Macluie Michael (17 years old) and I to celebrate without my husband, but we’ve come to terms and accepted the fact (that Michael is gone)
“It has been seven years but we are grateful that everyone still remember him and the rest of our fallen police officers during the Ops Daulat,” Jabah said.
Dev also expressed his appreciation to Fama for the fundraising effort that will go towards helping to ease the burden of the family members of the victims who had sacrificed in maintaining peace and national security.
“On behalf of PDRM Sarawak, we thanked Fama for such noble effort. The late Michael’s family received about RM6,100 and we hope this can help ease their burden in preparation for the Christmas celebration and various other expenses to take care of,” he said.
Meanwhile, Fama has through its Ops Daulat fundraising drive conducted in 563 Pasar Tani (farmers’ markets) nationwide collected RM49,084 for the families of the eight fallen heroes.
The eight policemen who were killed in the incident were Michael, ACP Ibrahim Lebar, ASP Zulkifli Mamat, Sergeant Major Sabaruddin Daud, Sergeant Major Baharin Hamit, Sergeant Major Abd Azis Sarikon, Corporal Mohd Azrul Tukiran and Sergeant Salam Togiran.
During the Sulu terrorist intrusion, police sent a team to Kampung Simunul and Kampung Sri Jaya to investigate reports on the presence of the Filipino intruders.
Upon arrival at Kampung Simunul, the police party was ambushed by the intruders.— DayakDaily
