Sikh police contingent celebrate Police Day with thanksgiving prayers

Comm Amar (front row, standing fourth from left) with fellow Sikh policemen and women at Gurdwara Sahib Pulapol in Jalan Semarak, KL. — Photos: RAYMOND OOI/The Star and PDRM

THIS year marks the 209th year of the formation of the Royal Malaysian Police.

In conjunction with Police Day, many corporate social responsibility programmes were organised such as blood donation drives, visits to hospitals and welfare homes.

Prayers were also conducted by members of the force of different faiths.

Sikh police personnel held thanksgiving prayers at the Gurdwara Sahib Pulapol, Kuala Lumpur in conjunction with the Police Day celebrations.

Present was Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Amar Singh, who led the congregation.

“The Sikhs make up 0.16% of the country’s police force.

Devotees praying inside the gurdwara during the thanksgiving ceremony.

“There are currently 216 Sikh policemen and women serving in the force of various ranks and I am immensely proud to say that though we are a minority, our presence and contributions in the force have been tremendous,” said Comm Amar.

“The Sikhs were brought in from India before independence because they were known to be brave and hardworking.

“Today, the community can take pride in their progress due to the determination and sacrifices of our forefathers,” added Comm Amar.

There was a huge turnout of Sikh personnel together with their families at the thanksgiving prayers.

Many also volunteered to cook vegetarian meals and serve the congregation.

Comm Amar also commended former Sikh officers in the force who have made the community proud such as former Senior Asst Comm Datuk Mohan Singh, who retired last year as Selangor Crime Prevention and Community Safety department chief and Malaysian sporting legend Datuk Nashatar Singh who made a name for himself in athletics and rugby.

Devotees enjoying vegetarian meals after the prayers.

“Many Sikh police sportsmen have represented the country in the Olympics, Commonwealth Games and SEA Games.

“Nashatar is a shining example of a police officer who also dedicated a lot of his time to bring glory to the country in the sporting field.

“He represented Malaysia in two Olympics and won the Asian Games gold in javelin in 1966.

“More recently Insp Kevinder Singh and Insp Baljit Singh have represented the country in hockey and played in the Olympics and World Cup qualifiers, Sultan Azlan Shah Cup and Champions Trophy tournaments,” said Comm Amar.

Mohan, who was with the force for 40 years, is now involved with the Asean Football Confederation (AFC), advising on security matters.

Together with Nashatar and Comm Amar, Mohan is also involved in the newly formed Royal Malaysian Police Sikh Sports Association (RMPSSA).

“The association is affiliated to the Malaysian Singapore Sikhs Sports Council (MSSSC).

Kevinder (left) in action for the country during a match against Australia. He had a long and distingiushed career in the national hockey squad.

“We took part in the Gurdwara Cup in Penang last year and did well to emerge runners-up in hockey thanks to the brilliance of Kevinder, Baljit and Insp Baldev Singh,” said Nashatar.

“This year we hope to do well in the coming Gurdwara Cup in Seremban in June.

“The boys and girls have been training hard for the upcoming tournament,” he said adding that RMPSSA will be taking part in hockey, netball, badminton and golf.”

Comm Amar is also pleased to see more Sikh men and women joining the force and serving the country.

“This bodes well for the community. I hope more parents encourage their children to join the police force and make the community proud.

“I hope to see them serving with the dedication, discipline and hard work that Sikhs are renowned for,” he said.