KUALA LUMPUR: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak earlier today cut short his speech during the 209th National Police Day celebrations, here, after several policemen collapsed due to the heatwave.
Najib, who spoke for only about five minutes at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) parade ground said he felt that it would be unfair for him to take up much time while the 1,000 or so policemen were standing under the scorching sun.
“Before I got up to give this speech, my wife whispered to me to make this speech KISS — Keep It Short and Simple — due to the weather. I believe that it will do no justice to the parade if I give a long speech here while they (the policemen) are standing under the hot sun,” he said.
The prime minister’s concern for the welfare of policemen received cheers and a round of applause from the audience.
Najib then hurried through his speech, in which he thanked all policemen who had been working day and night to serve the nation and keep its people safe.
He then announced the setting up of the new Police Traffic Enforcement and Investigation Department, an upgrade from the traffic division before today parked under the Internal Security and Public Order Department of the police force, before ending his speech.
The parade was dismissed some 15 minutes later after policemen sang their anthem, “Polis Sedia Berkhidmat”, and recited the force’s oath.
The NST was informed by a police officer later that 15 policemen had fainted at the parade ground.