PGA praised for keeping borders safe

Zahid lauds Northern Brigade officers and makes personal offer of RM30,000

IPOH: Officers in the Northern Brigade General Operations Force (PGA) headquarters in Ulu Kinta certainly felt honoured as Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi attended their Hari Raya Haji gathering.

Telling the crowd that the get-together was his only Hari Raya Haji function, the Home Minister lauded their efforts for the nation and announced that he would personally give RM30,000 to Northern Brigade, VAT 69 and PGA training centre Police Family Association (Perkep).

Dr Ahmad Zahid also gave away duit raya to children from the PGA at the event yesterday.

He was accompanied by Perak Mentri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Zambry Abd Kadir, Perak Police chief Commissioner Datuk Hasnan Hassan and PGA Northern Brigade Commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Mohd Shahar Ibrahim.

He also announced that all the barracks and pipes in the North Brigade General Operations Force would be fixed as soon as possible.

“Officers from the North Brigade have monitored and protected our borders and forests. This is the least I could do for them.

“You will have new barracks soon. Together with Datuk Seri Dr Zambry, we will work on them,” he said.

During the function, he also congratulated the police for their stellar job during the 29th SEA Games in Kuala Lumpur.

He said the police and other security agencies kept security tight at all venues.

“There are threats of militants and terrorists around the world, including in our country.

“Games of such magnitude would be targeted by them but our officers managed to monitor the situation well and throughout the games, there were no such incidents reported,” he said in his speech at the gathering in Ulu Kinta.

Dr Ahmad Zahid said the Government appreciated their efforts and commitment during the games as they ensured no untoward incident happened.

“Prior to the games, they actually had a drill to get themselves prepared for any situation. This shows how committed they are to the cause. The Government salutes them,” he said.

Dr Ahmad Zahid also congratulated the Malaysian athletes for winning 145 gold medals, and breaking their 111 gold medal record in the 2001 SEA Games, which was also held in Kuala Lumpur.