IPOH: “He (Lance Corporal Saifullah Mohamad, 32) called and told me that he missed our newborn (Muhammad Hanan Attaqi aged 51 days) and me so much”.
“He was so excited because we were planning to have ‘cukur jambul’ and aqiqah ceremony for our child this early December,” said Lance Corporal Norina Bakri, 33.
Saifullah was killed after a three-tonne lorry rammed into the roadblock that the he and other officers were manning in Jalan Canggung, Taman Pasir Putih, Pasir Gudang, today.
Another policeman, Lance Corporal Mohamad Johari Rosli, 32, was also killed in the 5.30am incident.
Norina who with the Johor Jaya Police Station said her husband had contacted her saying that he would be taking part in the four-hour roadblock operation.
“He told me he would be joining the roadblock, and soon after his work finished, he would be back to rest.
“I never thought that would be his last words.
“My late husband was a nice person and he was very close to our families and friends.
“He loved making jokes and there was never a dull moment with him,” she said.
Norina said she learnt about the incident when she was received a phone call from Johor Jaya district police chief who told her to be strong before breaking the news.
“I immediately called my mother-in-law and she was shocked to hear the news, but we have to accept it as God’s will,” she said.
Saifullah was buried at the Kampung Bakar Bata Muslim Cemetery last night.
In KUALA LUMPUR, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador conveyed his condolences to the families of Saifullah and Johari.
Saifullah was attached to the Pasir Gudang police station while Johari was from the Taman Scientex, Seri Alam station, both in Johor.
“On behalf of all members of PDRM (Royal Malaysia Police), I convey our condolences to the families of the late Lance Corporal Saifullah Mohamad and Lance Corporal Mohamad Johari Rosli, who died after being hit by a lorry at a police roadblock in Jalan Canggung, Taman Pasir Putih, Pasir Gudang, Johor.
“May the souls of these two policemen be blessed and placed among the righteous,” he said in a statement on the official PDRM Facebook page today.
Saifullah and Mohamad Johari, both aged 32, had just finished conducting a roadblock along with four other colleagues, when the incident took place.
Seri Alam police chief Superintendent Ismail Dollah said the policemen were busy packing the roadblock equipment into a police Land Rover when they were suddenly rammed by the lorry.
“Initial investigations showed that the driver of the lorry had lost control of the vehicle, which was traveling from Kota Masai towards Taman Pasir Puteh, and rammed five of the policemen and the Land Rover that was parked at the side of the road.
“The impact killed the two victims immediately while three other policemen and the 47-year-old driver were injured. The other policeman escaped unhurt,” said Ismail.
He said those injured were taken to the Sultan Ismail Hospital for treatment.
“Investigation is ongoing under Section 41(1) of the Road Transport Act 1987,” said Ismail.