SHAH ALAM: More than 3,000 policemen and civilians lost their lives during the Emergency, the Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ismail Omar revealed yesterday.

He then questioned if the lives lost had been in vain.

“Are these figures meaningless?” Ismail asked in response to Pas deputy president Mohamad Sabu’s alleged statement in support of the communists.

Ismail revealed that during the first Emergency between 1948 and 1960, 1,346 policemen lost their lives along with 2,473 civilians.

He said another 1,601 policemen were injured along with 1,385 civilians.

“It was a dark and violent period in Malaysia’s history when the communist insurgents threatened the security of the country.

“Brave policemen lost their lives and limbs defending the country.

“The second Emergency, between 1961 and 1989, also saw policemen and civilians killed or injured.”

He revealed that 98 policemen and 85 civilians were killed by communists during the second Emergency.

He added that another 282 policemen and 105 civilians were reported injured.

“These are historical facts which cannot be disputed.

“Bukit Kepong was one of many incidents recorded during the Emergency.

“So, why is Mohamad Sabu attempting to twist facts?”

Ismail said more than 100 police reports have been lodged against Mohamad and the investigation papers have been sent to the Attorney-General’s Chambers for further action.

Meanwhile, Yayasan Pengaman Malaysia, which comprise retired senior police officers, yesterday voiced its dissatisfaction against Mohamad, saying his comments were simply to cause controversies.

Its president, former Deputy IGP Tan Sri Samsuri Arshad, said Mohamad belittled the struggles and sacrifices of true national heroes.

“We consider him (Mohammad) a rabble-rouser, who is trying to bring the nation to a revolt.”

Mohamad’s statement, allegedly made during a ceramah in Tasik Gelugor, Penang, on Aug 21, had offended many, including the next of kin of the 20 policemen and five others who died in the Bukit Kepong incident.

Samsuri urged Mohamad to apologise to all Malaysians, especially to the families of the policemen who sacrificed their lives.

Bernama reported that former police chief of the Pagoh district, Datuk Seri J.J. Raj, 90, who was present at the press conference as saying that he could still remember the words spoken to him by Sergeant Jamil Mohd Shah, one of the 20 policemen who defended the station against the attackers.

“Don’t worry sir, we will defend this place.

“We would rather die than yield,” Raj recollected.

Raj, who was then in charge of 20 police stations, including Bukit Kepong, said: “Sergeant Jamil did not seem the least bit afraid when he promised to defend Bukit Kepong and protect the people and their families.

“Sergeant Jamil stood his ground as his colleagues and family members fell all around him.

“Three times Mat Indera asked him to surrender with the promise that no harm would come to him.

“Three times he rejected the offer outright.

“He was the last man standing and he fought to his death,” Raj recalled.

Earlier in Kuala Lumpur, a group of about 100 former servicemen were turned away from the Pas headquarters in Jalan Raja Laut.

They had gone there to submit a memorandum of protest against Mohamad.

The crowd comprised members from the Ex-Policemen Association of Malaysia, Former Armed Forces Association of Malaysia and the Association of Malay Military Veterans.

The group demanded Mohamad’s resignation as deputy president.

They also urged Pas not to manipulate historical facts.