Tan Sri Ismail Omar
KUALA LUMPUR: The successful tackle of the armed intrusion into Sabah by terrorists from the Southern Philippines is the sweetest present for Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar who will celebrate his 60th birthday today.
The intrusion on Feb 11 was a bloody incident in the history of the nation for the security forces after the communist offensive and the Indonesia-Malaysian confrontation in the 1960s.
The group of armed intruders aspired to take Sabah away from Malaysia unlawfully, with the deployment of 150 hired mercenaries.
Ismail, working shoulder-to-shoulder with Armed Forces (ATM) chief Gen Tan Sri Zulkifeli Mohd Zin through the Blue Ocean strategy, launched ‘Operasi Daulat’ from March 5, after a month-long negotiation to send the terrorists back stalemated.
The operation was also launched after eight policemen were killed in Kampung Tanduo, Lahad Datu and in Semporna during the terrorist attacks on March 1 and 2.
During ‘Operasi Daulat’, two soldiers were killed.
The success of the offensive saw 68 terrorists shot dead and 173 detained under the Security Offences Act (Special Measures) 2012 (Sosma), and 443 others detained for numerous other offences.
‘Operasi Daulat’ was concluded after the government set up the Sabah Special Security Area (Esscom), covering 1,400km of the east coast of the state from March 29, similtaneously with the enforcement of the East Sabah Security Zone (Esszone) to ensure security and peace in the state.
Five days after the implementation, Ismail’s capability was once again tested to look after public security when the Dewan Rakyat was dissolved on April 3 for the 13th General Election.
During the campaigning period until polling day on May 5, Ismail successfully ensured the transition process in the selection of the government, despite small incidents of scuffles reported nationwide.
Maybe, this year is the busiest for this Kulim-born to ensure the security and public order in the country. Today is the day for the nation’s top cop to call it a day.
After four decades of good deeds in the ‘Harimau Biru’ team, beginning 1971 as trainee inspector, tomorrow is a day of Ismail’s retirement from the force.
During his career, he held several posts, including prosecution officer at the courts in Ipoh, Perak in 1994; Seberang Perai Tengah district police chief (1996); Bukit Aman CID principal assistant director II (2005); Selangor police chief (2006); Bukit Aman police management director (2007); deputy inspector-general of police (2007); and, inspector-general of police (2010). — Bernama