Now young people's turn to defend Sabah, Malaysia - Squad 69 veterans

PDRM Squad 69 Veterans' Welfare Association president Datuk Abdul Aziz Bakar said the responsibility of defending the country does not lie solely on the shoulders of a certain generation, rather the efforts must continue from one generation to another so that the country remains safe.

"There must be continuity to ensure that our country remains free and that security and order are not disturbed. The younger generation needs to continue the efforts of the previous generation to protect the country.

"This is our mandate to the younger generation, also to the current generation of police officers and security personnel to continue this effort to protect our country," he told Bernama when he visited the Tuaran district police headquarters (IPD) here recently.

Abdul Aziz, 74, said there are many differences between Sabah today and the time when he was working in the state in the 1970s, faced various shortcomings then but those obstacles did not break his spirit as well as his colleagues in maintaining the country's security.

"We are the 'unsung heroes' and we did it wholeheartedly because it was important for the younger generation, especially the Sabahans. Looking back at our sacrifices, we are happy to see the development and lives of the people in the state are very different now," said Abdul Aziz who served with PDRM for 35 years.

He said the word 'Merdeka' (independence) has several meanings including freedom from colonialism, but for him, 'Merdeka' has given many opportunities to the people of Sabah and the rest of the country to develop themselves and the country.

"The opportunity, particularly education, was not easily available during our time. Hence, the younger generation should not take for granted what we have been working so hard for. Do your best and grab the available opportunities," said Pahang-born Abdul Aziz.

Meanwhile, the association's deputy president, Datuk Alias Abdul Rahman, 73, from Negeri Sembilan, advised the younger generation to remember that Malaysia has helped and given them opportunities since the day they were born.

"Living in a foreign country is not the same as living in Malaysia, here we have whatever freedom we want, this Malaysia is too special for its people," said Alias who served with PDRM for 36 years.

A Squad 69 veteran, Saperi Abdul Karim said that in line with the passage of time, the struggle to protect the country is no more just about taking up arms, but instead, it is necessary to equip oneself to be useful in developing the country.

"In the past, our struggle was against communist terrorists, in Sabah we defended the state against pirate attacks, but the struggle now has changed a little in terms of helping to develop Sabah and Malaysia," said Saperi, who spent 38 years of his life with PDRM.

Sarawakian Saperi, 71, said that the youth is the only hope for him and his colleagues to continue the struggle to safeguard the country, to provide a better life for the next generation.

Another Squad 69 veteran, Ramli Othman, 72, from Penang, hoped that the younger generation to appreciate the services and sacrifices of the previous generation who defended the country because, without the struggle of the previous generation, there would be no opportunities and enjoyment for the current generation.

"Remember, there is no future without a past, appreciate it by continuing the struggle of the previous generation to protect the country. We can only hope for the current generation to look after Malaysia," said Ramli who served with PDRM for 37 years.