New generation cops should be motivated by improved facilities, salaries and welfare

MELAKA - Improvements in facilities, salary and welfare as well as various incentives being enjoyed now need to be the motivation for the new generation of police personnel.

Police retiree R. Manoharan, 66, said improvements made at the police training centre also need to encompass increased levels of discipline and integrity for members in carrying out their responsibilities to the community.

"What we had and encountered before were more challenging, however, we were not dispirited and served till our retirement," he said.

Manoharan told reporters at the National Heroes Service Medal (PJPN) award ceremony of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) Melaka contingent, held at Melaka police contingent headquarters (IPK), here today. The awards were presented by Melaka police chief Datuk Zainol Samah.

Manoharan, who was among the 98 award recipients, said he was always ready to share his 41 years of working experience with members of the current generation, especially in general assignments.

"There we many things that happened while on duty including collecting bodies involved in road accidents and retrieving bodies from rivers. There were times when we were involved in finding bodies that caused us to have sleepless nights," he said.

Meanwhile, retiree Roslan Kalid, 63, said he witnessed incidents where two of his friends fell victim to traps while in the jungles in Grik, Perak. These incidents made him determined to wipe out the threat of the Communists.

"At that time, in the 1980s, one of my friends was killed while another lost both his legs in these traps. They were on duty doing their rounds in the jungle. When I heard and then saw what had happened, I was so angry... I was determined to pursue the Communists," he said.

He also said that there were so many sacrifices made by police officers on duty in various units during the Malayan Emergency until now to ensure that the current generation and society live peacefully.

Meanwhile, today's award recipients comprised retirees and former police officers as well as members who served during the Emergency. - BERNAMA