Serving as a police corporal during the communist insurgency is one of the experiences that Sergeant Sazali Shaari, 59, will forever remember.
Sazali, born in Machang, Kelantan had just completed his police training in 1988 and was posted to serve in Jerantut, Pahang due to the communist threat that was still prevalent in the country at that time.
He said that around 1990, a group of communist insurgents attacked the Area Control Unit camp in Benta at night and the next day, Sazali's team was tasked with tracking them down around Ulu Cheka.
“Although we did not locate the group, it served as a valuable experience for me.
“Later, I was transferred to the Supply Unit to handle despatching food rations to military members and the Police Field Force (PPH) (now known as the General Operations Force or GOF) to Ulu Tembeling via boat,” he told reporters here after receiving the Jasa Pahlawan Negara medal from Yang Dipertua Negeri Melaka Tun Mohd Ali Rustam at Seri Negeri here today.
Sazali was one of the 184 recipients of the medal which was conferred to police personnel and retirees in the state in appreciation of deeds and contributions to the security forces.
The father of five, who will retire in June next year, said the people need to know the struggles of those who have made sacrifices for the future generations of this country.
Another recipient, Sergeant Major Nadzri Md Noor, 55, said being chased by a parang-yielding mental patient was among the things he would remember during his 35 years of service with the security forces.
Nadzri said it happened about 30 years ago when he was attached to the Crime Prevention Unit at the Segamat district police headquarters (IPD) in Johor.
“I could have taken stern action against the individual but at the same time, as police personnel, we must have the wisdom to control the situation in order to minimise injuries.
“I cannot be hasty to use firearms and need to follow standard operating procedures. Luckily, the case was handled well and the suspect was apprehended,” said the Bemban police station chief, who has also served in the Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (JSJN) for four years.
Source: BERNAMA News Agency