EX-COP RECALLS PIRATE HORROR
Ostin Bajau was shot during patrol duty in 1976
OSTIN Bajau may be 73, but his encounter with pirates while defending Malaysian territory 42 years ago remains fresh. The former policeman, who spent 36 years in the force, said the incident occurred in September 1976.
He was part of a police team patrolling Tambisan waters, off Kinabatangan, when they stumbled upon a group of pirates.
The pirates from southern Philippines were armed with M16s, while the police had only carbine rifles, leaving them outgunned. In the gunfight, Ostin was shot in the left buttock, while four others were also wounded.
“The government later equipped us with advanced firearms,” he said, adding that the incident did not dampen his spirits.
“We were glad to be alive. It didn’t put a dent in my aim to continue serving in the force. I even encouraged my children to become enforcement personnel and contribute to the nation.”
Ostin, who is from Beluran, has a special history with pirates. His hometown, located on an island, was attcked twice by pirates. A villager was killed in one of the attacks. This, he said, prompted him to join the police force.
At the time, eastern Sabah was exposed to cross-border crimes and had a tense relationship with Indonesia following the formation of Malaysia on Sept 16, 1963.
“A year after the formation of Malaysia, I and 40 fellow Sabahans were recruited by the police force,” said the father of eight. “Our salary was just RM107.50, but goods were cheaper then.”
One of Ostin’s proudest moments was being part of the team that took down the notorious Filipino pirate, Moloy Ulah, in a sea gunbattle, off Segamat Island, in 1996. Moloy was wanted by several countries, including Indonesia and the Philippines.
Ostin was also involved in an operation to arrest Rizal, a Moro army commander from the Philippines, on Berhala Island here in 1984.
He was awarded Pingat Perkhidmatan Setia (Loyalty Service Medal) for his bravery. He retired in 2000, with his last position being sergeant major heading the PX30 patrol boat.
His four children followed in his footsteps. His third child was a warrant officer with the army, while his fourth is a sergeant with the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency in Lahad Datu. His two daughters are with the police force, based here and in Johor.
Ostin’s wife, Naulim Banau, 68, also a police officer between 1968 and 1972, said did not stop her children from joining the force as it was a noble calling.
“Although my husband was shot, it did not deter our children from becoming soldiers or police personnel. This is proof of our love towards the country.”