Comm Kumar (second from right) taking part in the special prayers in conjunction with Police Day celebrations. On his right is Sugumaran. — THOMAS YONG/The Star
SOME 450 Johor Indian policemen and their family members congregated for a special prayer at Arulmigu Sri Balasubramaniar temple in Skudai, Johor Baru.
Johor police chief Comm M. Kumar said the annual ceremony, which was attended by police officers and personnel, was held in conjunction with the Police Day celebration.
He said they prayed for His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia, Her Majesty Raja Zarith Sofiah, Queen of Malaysia, His Royal Highness Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim, the Regent of Johor, Che’ Puan Mahkota Khaleeda and the whole Johor royal family to be blessed with prosperity, good health and long life.
“May His Majesty lead us to great lengths.
“We also prayed for excellence in the police force, our top leaders and all police personnel especially in Johor,” he said at the ceremony.
Comm Kumar said the ceremony was also attended by Indian civil servants from other government agencies and departments.
“This includes those from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission, Immigration Department, Customs among others.”
He commended the event’s working committee, led by Iskandar Puteri OCPD Asst Comm M. Kumarasan, for successfully organising the ceremony that garnered a big turnout.
During the event, Comm Kumar also handed over aid to 25 underprivileged people, including orphans and those with special needs.
Inspector S. Vikineswary, 34, from the Johor Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department, said in the past decade she had never missed the annual ceremony.
“I have been attending the ceremony without fail every year since reporting for duty about 10 years ago.
“For me, this is an important ceremony where we get to pray with others in the police force.
“This year, I am attending the ceremony with my husband, who is also a policeman,” she said, adding that she and her husband, L/Kpl A. Gobi, got married last year.
Kpl S. Sugan Kumar, 35, from Seri Alam police headquarters, said he made new friends by attending the ceremony in previous years.
“Apart from praying with fellow policemen, it is also a good way to get to know others in the force.
“We get to share experiences and learn from each other,” he said, adding that he had also been able to meet some of his police friends from other districts through the event.
Echoing the sentiment was marine police constable M. Dharmaraj, 27, who reported for duty just two months ago.
“This is the first time I am attending the event as I have just joined the force.
“I was pleasantly surprised when one of my superiors told me about this annual ceremony.
“I think this is a good way to make new friends, especially for someone who has just joined,” he said, adding that he was determined to attend every year.
Also present at the ceremony were Johor Baru North OCPD Asst Comm Balveer Singh and Sultanah Rogayah Foundation chairman Datuk R. Sugumaran.
