Deputy IGP: Policemen to receive posthumous promotion

The coffins bearing the remains of Supt Ibrahim and L/Kpl Azrul being laid out for family members and police officers to pay their last respects at TUDM in Sungai Besi.

SUBANG JAYA: All six policemen who were gun downed in Semporna on Saturday have been posthumously promoted.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar said the six heroes have been promoted a rank higher than their present rank.

"The Prime Minister has agreed to promote all six heroes.

"It is effective immediately," he told reporters at TUDM air base, here on Monday.

He said the promotions were a way to recognise their priceless sacrifice in defending the country.

"We will look to other ways of helping their families.

"These heroes will always be in our hearts...our deepest condolences to their families," he said.

Khalid was among those who were present as the remains of the fallen heroes Supt Ibrahim Lebar, 52, and L/Kpl Azrul Tukiran, 27 arrived at the Royal Malaysian Air Force Base here.

The heroes' remains arrived at about 6.35pm in the midst of sea of blue as throngs of policemen waited to pay their last respects.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak and his deputy Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin along with their wives led the list of dignitaries who paid their last respects to the duo, who were killed in the shootout with armed gunmen in Semporna.

Among others who attended were former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, Wanita Umno chief Datuk Seri Shahrizat Abdul Jalil and Deputy Home Minister Datuk Lee Chee Leong.

The mood at the air base was sombre as the heroes' family members were filled with tears as the caskets were carried into the air base control centre.

The crowd at the control centre performed prayers for the heroes before they were transported to their respective homes for funeral arrangements.

The remains of Supt Ibrahim and L/Kpl Azrul were transported to USJ and Kampung Rantau Panjang, Klang respectively.