KUALA LUMPUR: Two years after serving as the director of the Asean National Police (Aseanapol) Secretariat, Asst Comm Dr Bakri Zainal Abidin has completed the tour of duty which he described as an “unforgettable journey”.
“We shared a lot of challenges but with them came the happy moments of overcoming them and achieving success,” he said.
He voiced his gratitude for the brotherhood and friendship.
“It has truly been an unforgettable journey. I live by the motto ‘once a friend, always a friend’.
“I prefer to see this not as a goodbye but to see you again in the future. May our paths cross again,” he said in a speech during the handing-over ceremony for the post of the secretariat’s director of police services yesterday.
The secretariat, among others, works towards harmonising and standardising coordination among Asean police institutions.
ACP Bakri, who has been with the police force for 37 years, said he has worked in various departments including the Criminal Investigation Department, and the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department.
He said the stint at the secretariat has been a rewarding experience.
“It is a lesson that will surely live long in my memory. The experience has certainly made me a better police officer,” he said.ACP Bakri, who was the secretariat’s sixth director of police services, said it has been an honour to serve with his comrades, especially with the secretariat’s executive director David Martinez Vinluan.
“He has been a great role model, whose discipline and dedication to his work more than complemented his character as a person and a friend,” he said.
During the ceremony, ACP Bakri handed over the reins to Police Supt Huntal Tambunan of the Indonesian National Police.
In his speech, Vinluan commended ACP Bakri for his service to the secretariat.
“He is a prime example of a great police officer, a true officer and a gentleman.
“He brought with him not only his experience but his commitment to get the job done.”
Tambunan said he was grateful to assume the post of director of police services.
“I aim to build on the foundations laid by my predecessor.
“I am looking forward to collaborating with various stakeholders and Aseanapol strategic partners,” he said.
Royal Malaysia Police secretary Senior Asst Comm Datuk Kamaruzaman Abdullah, who was the guest of honour, said the leadership shown by Aseanapol came at a pivotal time, given the challenges of transnational crimes.
“To tackle it effectively, it requires integrated efforts. In this regard, collaborations between governments, private sectors and civil societies are important,” he said.
