KOTA KINABALU: Outgoing Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Abdul Rashid Harun has come in for praise over his successful handling of security issues in the state.
Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim said the Sabah police contingent faces a unique security situation compared to other states.
"Sabah has more than 1,400 kilometres of coastal area and has to deal with organised, armed terrorists.
"His (Abdul Rashid) background as a commando has helped formulate the (defend and counterattack) approaches in the contingent including the formation of the Rapid team," he said during the handover of duty ceremony between Abdul Rashid and his successor, former Malacca police chief Datuk Ramli Din, at the state police headquarters here.
Noor Rashid added that upholding the sovereignty of the country required sacrifice, which Abdul Rashid has penned down his bittersweet experiences as a member of the police force in his memoir titled 'Abd Rashid Harun: Antara Kedaulatan dan Pengorbanan' (Abd Rashid Harun: Between Sovereignty and Sacrifice).
The deputy IGP added such a book, first to be written by a police commissioner in Malaysia, was a priceless guide for the public, especially members of the police force.
Meanwhile, Abdul Rashid, in delivering his retirement speech, expressed his gratitude to his wife Datin Ainalmarhanim Abdul Ghani.
"My beloved wife had been through thick and thin throughout my 41 years in the police force.
"I have been waiting for this day but at the same time, I'm also honoured have begun as a constable and to retire as a police commissioner," he said.
He believed that Ramli has the capability to continue the fight to preserve sovereignty in Sabah.