KUALA LUMPUR – Helping others – this is what the late Tan Sri John Joe Raj Jr never ceased to do since his retirement as police commissioner in 1976 till the day he died.
Such was the tribute paid by his grandson, Sharad Julius John.
“One of the many beautiful sounding pieces of advice he gave me: help whenever you can, irrespective of race or religion.
“Always be empathetic to fellow Malaysians in need,” Sharad told The Vibes today.
When asked about his fondest memory of his late grandfather, Sharad said Raj Jr was a quiet and simple man yet caring to the family and society.
“Even though he was no more in the force, the trait of a police officer was still in him. He was very attentive with his surroundings – always helping people in the society regardless”, Sharad said in honour of his late grandfather.
The body of the late Bukit Kepong hero was cremated at the Nirvana Memorial Park in Shah Alam where family members and friends came to pay their last respects.
Several senior police officers were also present among whom were Bukit Aman management director Datuk Zaini Jass, Selangor deputy police chief Datuk Sharul Lalli Masduki, Selangor Criminal Investigation Department chief Nik Ezanee Mohd Faisal and principal assistant director of management (Police Retirees’ Affairs Division) Datuk Sulaiman Salleh.
Zaini led the group in giving their last salute as a mark of respect from the police force and country.
He then conveyed his condolences prior to handing over the Jalur Gemilang to Raj Jr’s daughters – Indrani Abraham and Rohini John before the cremation ceremony.
Chemor (Perak) born Raj Jr was hailed a hero when he led the Tiger Squad to save Bukit Kepong police officers from a communist attack during the emergency era in 1950 when he was Pagoh district police chief.
In 1974 he was appointed Bukit Aman management director before retiring with the rank of police commissioner two years later.
On November 6, Raj Jr died following a cardiac arrhythmia (an irregular heartbeat problem) at 1.55am at the Ara Damansara Medical Centre in Petaling Jaya.
He was 100 years old. – The Vibes, November 8, 2021
