SARAWAK will name roads, buildings and newly developed places in the state after its Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) and Panglima Gagah Berani (PGB) recipients.
“It's in recognition for their service and sacrifice to state and country,” Premier Abang Johari Openg told reporters after paying his last respects to SP recipient, former police Corporal Etim Jam at the Dewan Suarah in Kuching this afternoon.
The hall is right opposite the Heroes Mausoleum which will be Etim's final resting place.
Abang Johari said the state had already decided to name a place after the country's most decorated hero, Kanang Langkau.
The former Ranger was the only serviceman to have ever been awarded both the SP and PGB.
“The same goes with the other heroes.”
Governor Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar was among state dignitaries who paid their last respects. He was accompanied by his wife Fauziah Mohd Sanusi.
Like Etim, Wan Junaidi also served in the police force as a young inspector during the communist insurgency in the 70s.
Other dignitaries that paid their last respects included Deputy Premier Douglas Uggah, Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Dr Stephen Rundi and Minister in the Premier's Department John Sikie Tayai.
The body of Etim, who died of lung cancer at the Miri general hospital on Tuesday, was flown earlier this morning from Miri by a Royal Malaysian air force C-130 transport plane to Kuching for the full state funeral.
The 83 year-old was then living with his eldest daughter.
Etim was awarded the SP for the bravery he showed while under fire on April 29, 1972.
The convoy transporting explosives he and a group of policemen from then Miri-based 18th Battalion of the Pasukan Polis Hutan (PPH) were escorting, were ambushed by the communists along Jalan Oya in Sibu.
Etim, a constable then, showed disregard to his life by charging at the far larger communist force in the tall grass and trees by the side of the road to thwart off the ambush. – June 6, 2024.
