Policemen doing round-the-clock job at the roadblock at Simpang 3, Tanjung Labian.
Corporal Hussein Abdul Rashid.
Corporal Abdul Aziz Sulaiman.
LAHAD DATU: It is a call of duty that Corporal Hussein Abdul Rashid could not refuse.
But he is not complaining. In fact, he believes that his 35 years of experience in the force has prepared him well for the challenge.
The 56-year-old said he was mentally and physically ready when he saw his name on the ‘semboyan’ (order) list that came from the police headquarters.
“I was actually proud to be selected. I am a Sabahan and I am honoured to defend my state. It is our responsibility as policemen; to maintain security and defend the sovereignty of our country,” he said, when met while on duty with several other colleagues at Simpang 3, Tanjung Labian, last night.
The team has been assigned to the posting, doing roadblocks, for about a month now, located at the junction leading to the red zone areas of Kampung Tanduo, Kampung Tanjung Labian and Kampung Tanjung Batu.
“We are aware of the danger we are in but that is part of the job,” he said.
Hussein and his team were all dressed in dark attire and it is no surprise since they basically have to be ‘invisible’ most of the time. In this pitch black environment, all we can hear are sounds of broken branches and insects and there are a lot of mice here.
“It can be quite eerie here sometimes,” he said.
What has made Hussein even prouder was the fact that two of his sons are also stationed at Felda Sahabat to carry out similar mission.
“One of my sons has followed in my footstep. He is a policeman too, while the other son signed up with the armed forces. I know they are here (Felda Sahabat) somewhere, but I do not know where they are stationed. I have not seen them for a while now. I am however in constant contact with my wife back home in Silam. As much as I would like to be reunited with my family, for now my focus is my work,” he said.
His words were echoed by his fellow comrade, Corporal Abdul Aziz Sulaiman.
“We find comfort in confiding with each other. My fellow comrades are my family here … it eases the pain of being away from your loved ones a bit. Our only consolation is that we are doing this to protect not only Sabah, the country, but also the safety of our family and the people,” he said.
Thousands of security forces from all over the country have been posted here to defend the state as a result of the intrusion by a group of armed men from Sulu.