KUCHING: Assistant Superintendent of Police Michael Padel who was killed in an ambush by Sulu intruders in Semporna on Saturday will be buried at the Heroes Grave tomorrow.
This was confirmed by State Police Commissioner Datuk Acryl Sani Abdullah when met by reporters after receiving the body of Michael at the State Police Air Unit base yesterday.
According to Sani, the state government agreed to accord a state funeral for the fallen policeman and arrangements are being made for the burial.
“The burial ceremony will take place this Wednesday (tomorrow) around 11am, and it will be a testimony of the state government’s appreciation and honour towards one of the state’s sons who had sacrificed his life fighting for the country,” he said.
On a related matter, Sani said the federal government would look into the needs and welfare of the bereaved family.
Michael, from Kampung Tebakang Dayak in Serian, will be the first police officer to be buried at the Heroes Grave.
The announcement of the state burial was first made by the emcee at the hall of the State Police Air Unit base.
Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud was seen discussing the matter with Sani, who then whispered the outcome of the discussion to the emcee.
About 1,000 people led by the Head of State Tun Abang Muhammad Salahuddin Abang Barieng and wife Toh Puan Datuk Patinggi Norkiah, other state dignitaries, police personnel and armed forces personnel gathered at the hall waiting for the arrival of the remains of Michael.
The army plane carrying ASP Michael’s remains touched down at State Police Air Unit base at 5.30pm.
It departed from Kota Kinabalu at 2.30pm and among the passengers were his wife Jabah Mingku and their 11-year-old son.
Also present were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu Numpang, deputy speaker of Dewan Rakyat Datuk Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, Second Minister of Resource Planning and Envrionment Datuk Amar Awang Tengah Ali Hassan, and other members of state cabinet
Source from The Borneo Post : http://www.theborneopost.com/2013/03/05/state-funeral-for-fallen-hero/#ixzz2MfQRgbOU
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