I forgive but punishment is just, says widow

I forgive but punishment is just, says widow

KOTA KINABALU: A widow to one of the 10 security force members killed in Sabah’s Lahad Datu incursion 11 years ago has forgiven those who caused the tragedy but she feels that the offenders deserve their death sentence.

Teacher Noor Aziah Noor, 39, said the Federal Court has made a fair and just decision by upholding the death sentence of the seven Filipinos for waging war against the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

“For me, I forgive what these criminals did. My husband ASP Zulkifli Mamat died and so did many others. However, by forgiveness, it does not mean I want them to walk free. They deserve the gallows,” said the mother of five who lives in Perlis.

She said memories of that incident were too painful to relive, even after so many years and her having remarried.

“My children from my first husband have all grown up now, they are 11, 12 and 16.

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“After eight years, I remarried and have two more boys but if I recall that incident, I still feel sad,” Noor Aziah said.

It is worse for her former parents-in-laws, as they are still stuck with the past, living every day with the trauma from the death of their son, she said.

“I am younger so I am stronger mentally and emotionally. But what about his parents? What about other families who lost their loved ones in that intrusion?” she said.

This is why the Federal Court’s decision is wise, correct and just, she said.

“I am glad that the plea was rejected because what they did was inhumane. They resulted in so many of our security forces killed,” she stressed.

ASP Zulkifli, who was a VAT 69 commando, perished along with Sarjan Mejar Baharin Amit, Supt Ibrahim Lebar, ASP Michael Padel, Sarjan Abdul Aziz Sarikon, Kpl Salam Togiran and Lans Kpl Mohd Azrul Tukiran, who have all since been promoted posthumously.

Others who perished in this incident were VAT 69 commando Kpl Sabarudin Daud from the Hulu Kinta Camp of the General Operations Force, Private Ahmad Hurairah Ismail who was killed by a sniper and Private Ahmad Farhan Ruslan who died in a road accident.

Former Sabah Police Commissioner Datuk Hamza Taib, who was the ground commander during the Ops Tanduo at that time, deemed the decision as wise.

“I concur with the court. This matter means a lot to me because in my 41 years of service in the police force, it has been the most challenging operation for me,” he said when contacted.

He said being the police commissioner and the ground commander of Ops Daulat at that time, many of the decisions on what to do next were made by him.

But he said he had the then Inspector-General of Police and Chief of Armed Forces as his advisers.

“I am happy we succeeded in this operation and managed to kill 73 intruders and captured more than 500 suspects,” he said.

“Subsequently 32 were charged under the Security Offences (Special Measures) Act 2012 and seven were finally sent to the gallows.”