By Ivy Chai
KUCHING — In conjunction with the 215th Police Day Celebrations 2022, Kuching District Police Headquarters organised a Joint Church Prayer Service at St Joseph’s Cathedral on 27 April, attended by about 200 police personnel.
The morning Mass in Bahasa Malaysia, held in compliance with current pandemic SOP, was celebrated by Kuching Catholic Archbishop Simon Poh and concelebrated by Fr Galvin Ngumbang.
In welcoming the Christian police, Archbishop Simon Poh said: “I take this opportunity to thank and honour the police force for your work which at times can be life-threatening when you face violence.”
He referred to an incident at the Kuching High Court in February 2018 when the police diffused a tense situation that could have turned violent. The Archbishop had been surrounded by a rowdy crowd with more seen approaching him.
He was later told that there was a Christian off-duty policeman who literally stood between him and the rowdy men so that he could “squeeze through a gap to safety near the Riot Police,” and escorted safely back to Church.
In mitigating situations such as religious extremism, the police restore law and order so that peace and harmony can prevail. This is what, “Polis dan Masyarakat Berpisah Tiada” means, Archbishop Simon said in honouring the police force.
After the Mass, hampers of dried food with cash donations were given out to 10 less fortunate families, an initiative started by Kuching District Police Chief ACP Ahsmon Bajah.
Archbishop Simon Poh was also presented a souvenir as an appreciation for celebrating Mass for the police.
