KUCHING: The status of ex-police personnel and people’s perception of them would change if their contributions are formally recognised by the government.
In connection with this, the State Ex-Policemen Association chairman Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said he would continue to push for the setting up of a Veteran Department, hopefully by 2011.
He also wants the government to acknowledge those who served during the insurgency period by awarding them the ‘Pingat Jasa Malaysia’ (PJM).
“The country’s peace and stability that we enjoy now is the result of their sacrifice. We should not take it for granted,” he said.
Wan Junaidi, who is also Deputy Speaker of the Lower House of Parliament and Santubong MP, said he has written to and met with the Home Minister and has discussed with Deputy Prime Minister the setting up a department similar to what the Armed Forces have.
He was speaking to reporters yesterday after handing over financial aid totalling RM8,700 and rice to 58 widows of ex-policemen.
It was still very difficult to get any sort of help from the community, especially in financial support, Wan Junaidi said.
“We don’t have any resources. We get our support from the public through our fund-raisers, donations from individuals, and personal contact with people whom we feel are able to contribute.”
He also revealed that out of the hundreds letter they sent, they only get about 10 per cent response.
“It’s not tiring to sign a letter, but it is disappointing that your letter is not even worthy of a response,” he lamented.
Meanwhile, the association also wanted to declare their unanimous support for the Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud.
“We are not a political group, but we pray that he continues to lead us,”Wan Junaidi said.
Also present were the association’s state deputy chairman, Jack Joni, and vice chairman Iskandar Abdul Kadir Merichan. The Sarawak Ex-Policemen Association has more than 5,000 members.
