It’s work as usual for the men in blue

BALIK PULAU: While Muslims in the country have to forgo certain festive events this Hari Raya Aidilfitri following the prohibition of interstate balik kampung travel and house visits, such a situation is a norm for many Muslim police personnel who have to be on duty.

Inspector Mohd Kamal Abdul Wahab, 38, who joined the police force 12 years ago, said working during the festive season was normal for him and his colleagues.

“It is a sacrifice that we have to make once we join the force.

“However, even if I have to be on duty during Hari Raya, I will find time after the first week of the month-long Raya celebration to either return to my hometown or my wife’s hometown in Kedah.

“But this year, I’m not sure whether we can still make that trip because of the Covid-19 pandemic. We will see how it goes,” said the narcotics police officer who hails from Sungai Siput, Perak.

Insp Kamal said his wife and two young children understood the nature of his job.

“They have become accustomed to my lifestyle as a policeman,” he added.

Sjn Nor Azlina Ahmad, 37, said she felt rather sad that she and her family would not be able to visit their parents for Hari Raya this year.

“Every year, we will try to make a trip to my husband’s hometown in Kelantan and after that to my hometown in Pendang (Kedah).

“We will have to forgo our balik kampung trip for now,” she said, adding that she would be celebrating Raya with her colleagues at the Balik Pulau police headquarters.

Sjn Nor Azlina, whose husband is also a police officer, said they were cool about having to work during this period, especially in times of crisis.

“Our job is to provide security to the public, even though it is at the expense of our lives.

“Celebrating Hari Raya while on duty is not new for us police personnel but this year, we need to make more sacrifices in light of Covid-19,” she said.

Meanwhile, Balik Pulau OCPD Supt A. Anbalagan said the spirit of Hari Raya was palpable among the men in blue.

“The only thing missing is that they can’t celebrate the occasion in their respective hometowns.

“As police personnel, they have to toe the line and follow the orders given by the government to prevent the spread of the virus,” he said.

Supt Anbalagan hoped that the officers and police personnel under his command would persevere and perform their duties just as the nation needed them the most.