By renaming Jalan Tan Sri Koo Chong Kong, the Ipoh City Council had not only committed an insensitive and heinous act in desecrating the memory of Koo but also dishonoured the police, the King and nation, as Koo was posthumously awarded “Tan Sri” for making the supreme sacrifice of laying down his life in the service of the people and country - which has been devalued and debased by the 24 Ipoh City Councillors.
The former Inspector-General of Police, Tun Hanif Omar and Koo’s successor as Perak Chief Police Officer, Datuk Seri Yuen Yuet Leng, had expressed their protests at the insensitivity of the Ipoh City Council in desecrating the memory of Koo. The Inspector-General of Police, Tan Sri Norian Mai, should come forward to defend Koo’s memory and on behalf of the entire Royal Malaysian Police Force, demand the full restoration of Jalan Tan Sri Koo Chong Kong by the Ipoh City Council to give full respect to Koo and the police force.
It was reported today that the response from the Chinese community for a career in the police force continues to be poor and that only 3% of the applications for the post of probationary inspectors between 1999 and 2000 were Chinese. The rate is even lower for the post of probationary constable where applications from the Chinese total a mere 0.7%. (The Star).
How can the authorities expect a higher rate of Chinese enrolment in the police force when the memory of the first Chinese Police Officer in the country, who gave his life for the country and was honoured with a posthumous award of “Tan Sri” could be desecrated 26 years later by 24 Ipoh City Councillors who have utter contempt for Koo’s memory and sacrifice, the police, the King and nation?
I will visit Jalan Tan Sri Koo Chong Kong in Ipoh at 11 a.m. tomorrow, to register my personal outrage at the insensitivity and respect for Malaysia’s history and multi-racial heritage by the Ipoh City Council.
(26/11/2001)