Late Michael given a hero’s burial

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BE STRONG SON: Jabah consoles her son as her late husband is being laid to rest. - Photos by Chimon Upon

BE STRONG SON: Jabah consoles her son as her late husband is being laid to rest. – Photos by Chimon Upon

FINAL JOURNEY: The policemen in full ceremonial attire carrying the coffin to the Heroes Grave.

FINAL JOURNEY: The policemen in full ceremonial attire carrying the coffin to the Heroes Grave.

KUCHING: About 1,000 close relatives, friends, dignitaries and well-wishers paid their last respect to the late DSP Michael Padel, 36, during his burial at the Heroes Cemetery in Jalan Budaya here yesterday.

Among them were Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Alfred Jabu, Deputy Foreign Minister Datuk Richard Riot, Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communication Dato Sri Michael Manyin, Deputy State Legislative Assembly (DUN) Speaker Datuk Roland Sagah, Assistant Minister of Industrial Estate Development Datuk Peter Nansian, senior police and military officers.

It was a somber atmosphere at the cemetery especially when the cortege arrived and when the police band played the ‘Amazing Grace’ as police officers and other personnel led by DSP Munsang Sabai carried the remains to the grave for a short memorial service before the burial.

Earlier in the day, the cortege was brought to the Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Tebakang for prayer service led by Rev Joseph Chai before proceeding to the Heroes Grave around 9am.

The hearse carrying the coffin arrived about 10.30am. Michael’s uncle Morris Budit gave a short speech saying that Michael displayed great courage in death in the service of the country, defending its sovereignty, just like his late father, Padel Sano, who also served in the army.

This was followed by the laying of wreath on the coffin by Michael’s wife Jabah Mingku. Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar then presented the Jalur Gemilang to Jabah.

Speaking to reporters after the ceremony, Khalid thanked the state government for according a state funeral for the slain police officer.

“We feel greatly honoured because this is by far the highest state level recognition given to our man killed on duty to protect the country.

The late Michael created a history of sorts – for being the first policeman to be buried at the Heroes Graves together with 21 Iban Trackers and the late Temenggong Datuk Kanang Langkau, the SP and PGB holder who died recently.

Apart from Michael, others killed with him were Supt Ibrahim Lebar, Sgt Baharin Hamid, Sgt Aziz Sarikun, Cpl Salam Togiran and Lance Cpl Mohd Azrol Tukiran.

On welfare assistance to his immediate family, Khalid said the force was looking into the matter and requested his widow to contact the relevant police departments.

Michael had served with the police force for over 10 years in Kota Kinabalu and Kunak before his promotion to the rank of assistant superintendent of police recently.

He was transferred to Semporna, where he was killed in the ambush by armed gunmen from Sulu.

He was said to have wanted to join the police force since young, having inherited the warrior’s blood from his soldier father, who died in 1983.