KOTA BAHARU: About 10,000 spectators at Stadium Sultan Muhammad IV to watch the football match between Kelantan and Maziya Sports & Recreation Club, from Maldives, observed a minute of silence as a respect for the eight policemen killed by armed intruders in Lahad Datu and Semporna, Sabah.
The spectators, together with players from both teams, observed the silence before the start of the game at 8.45pm, with the Muslims citing the al-Fatihah for the Muslim fallen heroes.
A supporter of ‘The Red Warriors’, Ismail Muhammad, 45, from Tumpat, said the people appreciated the sacrifices made by the security personnel in defending the country.
“We pray for the safety of the police and soldiers who are on duty in Sabah,” he added.
The opening match between Kelantan and Maziya Sports & Recreation Club in Group G of the AFC Cup ended with a 1-1 draw.
In TERENGGANU, about 300 policemen attended a special prayer for the safety of security members involved in the “Op Daulat” in Sabah.
Terengganu police chief Datuk Jamshah Mustapa said similar prayer would also be held at all surau at the district police stations in the state.
In KUALA LUMPUR, MIC Youth leader, T. Mohan, said the movement also organised religious rituals at state and divisional levels nationwide tonight to pray for the safety and success of members of the security forces who were on duty in Sabah and for the problem in Sabah to be resolved fast.
Earlier, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak, when speaking in front of more than 3,000 Tenaga Nasional Berhad employees in conjunction with his working visit to TNB, called on the Malaysian people to continue to pray for the safety of security members who were fighting to end the intrusion in Sabah.
“At this moment, our national heroes are sacrificing their lives in an operation.
“Let us pray for their safety so that the country’s enemies can be defeated and wiped off,” he added. –Bernama