KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysians live in peace today thanks to the sacrifices and perseverance of the forefathers of the police force.
They are the unsung heroes of the nation and the younger generation should appreciate them more, said Universiti Malaysia Pahang (UMP) board of directors chairman Tan Sri Dr Abdul Aziz Abdul Rahman.
Speaking at the "Bicara Perwira: Pengorbanan Polis Menentang Komunis" programme at the Sultan Ahmad Shah Hall at the Police Training College here today, he urged everyone, especially the youth, to learn about the heroes who died at the hands of communists during the Insurgency.
"Great achievements are born from great sacrifices. Malaysians should not forget the struggles of our forefathers that allowed us to reach this far.
"Without their sacrifices, we would not be here today.
"This is what this forum is about — to inform our students about their sacrifices and to share the police force's insights and experiences during the Emergency."
(The Malayan Emergency took place between 1948 and 1960 while the Communist Insurgency, otherwise referred to as the Second Malayan Emergency, was between 1968 and 1989.)
Present at the forum were Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, former E1M (Special Forces Unit) Special Branch officer Datuk Abdullah Abdul Hamid, UMP College of Management and Humanities senior dean Associate Professor Dr Hasan Ahmad and lawyer Ooi Suan Kim.
This was the first edition of the forum, organised by the UMP Foundation and UMP Institute of Civilisation and Strategy.
Attendees include the top management of UMP and the police force, former members of the F-Team (Fight Team) and representatives from the Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation, Council of Former Elected Representatives, Retired Senior Police Officers Association, Masjid Saidina Umar al-Khattab Bukit Damansara, as well as UMP students.
Aziz said the younger generation must learn to appreciate and remember the sacrifices made by the policemen, their family members and all those who served the nation and lost their lives for the sake of national security.
He said the policemen's experience should be documented and shared as a historical reference for the younger generation.
He said 10,698 communists were killed, captured or had surrendered during the insurgency.
"Of the 4,425 members of the security forces who were injured or had died during the Emergency, 1,346 members from the police force were killed and 1,601 others were injured.
"It is hoped that this forum can foster the spirit of love for the country, especially among the youth, because they will be our future leaders."
Aziz said he hoped the discussion would strike a balance between three different perspectives, namely academia, the police and the public.
Razaruddin said he welcomed collaborations like this between universities and the police.
In his speech, he reminded UMP students to be grateful for the sacrifices made by those who fought the communists.
"I feel excited that I can be with the youth who will become the leaders of tomorrow. There are students who will continue the legacy and become policemen one day.
"You are the country's most valuable asset in inheriting the leadership and developing the country."