Johor’s top cop joins Sikh community in special prayers
FORMER and current Sikh policemen from all over the state gathered at the Gurdwara Sahib Johor Baru for special prayers in conjunction with the 217th Police Day.
Johor Baru North OCPD Asst Comm Balveer Singh said the annual event was made extra special this year with the presence of Johor police chief Comm M. Kumar.
“This is the first time we have the state’s top cop attending the ceremony from start to finish, including during prayers inside the gurdwara.
“When such a high-ranking officer joins us in the prayers, it serves as a good motivation not only to our Sikh policemen but also to the Johor Sikh community as a whole.
“In fact, we also have people from the community in other states calling us to express how amazed they are with the success of the programme,” he said, adding that he was very thankful to Comm Kumar.
He said they also prayed for the health and well-being of personnel from the Johor police contingent and for the state to remain peaceful.
ACP Balveer, who was also the organising chairman of the event, said some 250 people, including family members of the policemen, attended the prayers.
Apart from serving policemen, retired cops and civilians from the Sikh community were also present.
The organising committee also donated food and financial aid to seven needy families as a gesture of goodwill.
“This annual affair also serves as a platform for Sikh policemen from across all districts, both serving and retired, to get to know each other better,” he said, adding that there are 14 Sikh policemen serving in Johor.
Also present were Johor Retired Senior Police Officers’ Association (Respa) chairman Datuk R. Sugumaran, Johor Police Crime Prevention and Community Safety chief Senior Asst Comm Chuah Yong Huat and Johor Police Criminal Investigation Department chief Senior Asst Comm Hoo Chuan Huat.
Guests attending the ceremony were also treated to a luncheon where an array of traditional Punjabi food and sweets was served.