INCONSOLABLE: Siti Banddorah weeps over her husband’s coffin. — Bernama photo
SEMPORNA: Last Saturday, Police Sergeant Abd Azis Sarikon had jokingly addressed his wife as ‘boss’, telling her that as a result, she should begin to manage the family herself.
Upon hearing this, Siti Banddorah Mahali was thoroughly amused as it was one of her husband’s routine teasing which she had become accustomed to, at their family home here.
Moreover, Abd Azis, 48, attached to 14 Battalion General Operations Force (GOF), was on his way to work, and it was normal for him to be engaged in friendly banter with his wife before reporting for duty.
What Siti Banddorah, 39, did not know was that her husband’s words in jest were set to eerily become a tragic reality.
It was to be the last time that she would see her husband alive.
Shortly after, the father of four left home to join his comrades in maintaining the peace and security at Kampung Simunul where a group of armed foreign intruders, belonging to the so-called Sulu Sultanate, had holed up in the vicinity.
Following an ambush about 8 that night, Abd Azis and five other policemen were killed in a shootout, which also resulted in the death of six members of the armed hostile group.
Speaking to Bernama yesterday, Siti Bandorrah said: “When my husband jokingly referred to me as ‘boss’, he also told me that I will have to take care of the family on my own.
“It was the last conversation that we had before he left for work.
“The next thing I knew, I received the tragic news that he was among six policemen killed in an ambush set up by the foreign intruders.”
Abd Azis, who had served the force since 1990, was buried at the Batu 2 Muslim Cemetery, Jalan Bunga Raya here, after Zohor prayers.
He was also survived by children, Faridzulhelmy, 18, Nurul Liyana, 15, Nurul Syazwani, 12, and Mohammad Aiman Hakimi, seven.
Meanwhile, Semporna’s GOF company commander ‘B’ ASP Ab Gani Ajirul described Abd Azis’ death as a major loss.
“His commitment and dedication in carrying out his duties will be greatly missed by his colleagues who regarded him as a very brave man. I am proud to have a staff like Abd Azis; his commitment to duty is exemplary,” he said. — Bernama