Hero cop killed in Mabul attack buried with full honours

Amidst a heavy drizzle and an atmosphere thick with sadness and remorse, the body of a marine policeman who was slain by armed men in an ambush at Pulau Mabul was buried with full police honours at his village in Kampung Bubul Batu today.

The body of Police Corporal Ab Rajah Jamuan, 32, was taken from the Tawau Hospital mortuary to his house late Sunday night and after prayers this morning, was buried at the Muslim cemetery in Kampung Bubul Batu, Jalan Batu 3 1/2, here.

More than 200 people comprising family members, close friends and members of the police force attended the funeral to pay their last respects to Ab Rajah.

Earlier, the coffin wrapped in the Jalur Gemilang was taken from the family home with full police ceremony as six marine policemen who were also the deceased's friends carried his coffin.

Ab Rajah's widow, Salamah Amad, 26, who appeared calm when approached by reporters, said she was proud of her husband who had always been willing to put his life in the line of duty for the sake of his country.

"I'm pleased he went (lost his life) that way...his intention had always been to die fighting for the country because after the incident (intrusion by Sulu terrorists) in Tanduo (Lahad Datu, last year), he had submitted his name to be posted in Tanduo.

"Instead, he was stationed in Sandakan," she said, adding that during that time, Salamah was expecting their first child, a boy, who will be a year old, come July 26.

Meanwhile, Ab Rajah's father, Jamuan Ajuan,70, still reeling in shock over the death of his fourth of six children, attributed it to God's will.

"His mother, Kamsiah Indanan, is very sad over the loss of her child, but we are pleased he died while on duty to defend the country," he said.

The deceased's cousin, Noor Hani Mokhtar, 37, described his death as a blow to the family soon after the recent death of a nephew due to chronic illness last Friday.

Ab Rajah was killed when eight gunmen attacked a marine police team at the Mabul Water Bungalows Resort late Saturday.

Another marine policeman, Police Constable Zakia Aleip, 26, was believed to have been kidnapped by the gunmen in the 11.10pm incident.