National Hero award for border cop wounded in shootout

 

Police sergeant Norihan Tari being admitted to Penang hospital on Wednesday after he was shot while on patrol at the Thai border. (Bernama pic)

GEORGE TOWN: The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, has bestowed the Watikah Wira Negara (National Hero commendation) and letter of appreciation on police sergeant Norihan Tari, 39, who was wounded in a border shootout on Tuesday.

The King’s aide-de-camp, Yahaya Othman, presented the commendation and letter to Norihan, who is receiving treatment at the Penang general hospital after being injured in a shootout with smugglers in Padang Besar.

Yahaya said Norihan was moved by the King’s gesture. “It just so happens that he is from Pahang, too, and appreciates the King’s concern for his subjects’ well-being,” Yahaya said. Sultan Abdullah is the ruler of Pahang.

Penang police chief Sahabudin Abd Manan.said Norihan’s condition had improved and he could now talk and smile.

Sgt Norihan, of the police General Operations Force, suffered three gunshot wounds in the border gunbattle, in which his colleague Corporal Baharuddin Ramli, 54, was killed. Baharudin was posthumously promoted to the rank of Sergeant. - FMT