Unpol inspector laid to rest in Serian

SERIAN: The remains of Insp Benet Pawun, a member of Malaysia’s United Nations Police Force (Unpol) on a peacekeeping mission in Timor Leste, was laid to rest at the Kampung Mayang Kawan Christian cemetery here.

About 1,000 people, half of whom were police officers, congregated for the funeral service at the Bidayuh community village’s St Anthony’s Church yesterday.

Benet, 52, died in Dili, Timor Leste, on Feb 7. The cause of death has yet to be made official, but news reports said that it was due to dengue.

Benet’s superior Deputy Supt Terrence Wilkie Sikuel described him as “a hard-working, yet jovial officer”.

In his eulogy, DSP Terrence recalled how Benet had worked his way up from an ordinary police constable to Inspector in the criminal investigation division.

He added that Benet had always expressed his intention to join international policing assignments.

“Benet finally got his break when he was selected for the mission in Timor Leste in Oct 13, last year,” he said.

Later, a Unpol representative presented RM112,000 in donations to Benet’s wife Clare Baor at the service. The couple has six children. — Bernama