PUTRAJAYA: For Inspector S. Baladevan, his policeman father's sacrifice in the bloody tragedy at Bukit Jenalik in Sauk, Perak, in 2000 is a source of inspiration.
His father, Detective Corporal R. Sanghadevan, was killed in that incident and Baladevan is determined to carry on his father's legacy in the police force.
"Father is my idol," said the 44-year-old, who is stationed at the Internal Security and Public Order Department at the Selangor police headquarters, when asked why he chose to follow in Sanghadevan's footsteps by joining the Sang Saka Biru.
The tragedy may have happened 24 years ago, but the memory of his father forced Baladevan to stop for a moment as he was unable to control his emotions.
"Actually, my interest in joining the force has been there since I was young. After taking my Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia, I told my father about my intentions, but he advised me to further my studies first.
"Father told me to work towards getting a rank that was higher than he held, so he encouraged me to further my studies before joining the force," he told Bernama when met at the Warriors Day 2024 celebrations in Dataran Pahlawan, here.
Baladevan, the second of six siblings, said that after he had completed his studies, he immediately decided to join the police force, a decision that was supported completely by his mother, S. Malligarani.
His younger brother later also joined the force, emphasising the commitment the family has to the civil service.
Recalling the fate that befell his father, Baladevan said he had, at the time, only just registered to pursue a diploma in mechanical engineering in Johor Baru.
"Father and I spent three weeks together there for the purpose of registration and other matters. The incident happened a week after he returned to duty," he said.
Baladevan said he was attending class when he received a call from a police officer telling him to return to Kuala Kangsar immediately.
"Only when I got home did I find out what had befallen my father. (Only after) watching the Op Subuh pantomime (which was played out during the Warriors Day celebration) just now, do I have a clearer understanding of what happened then" he said.
Op Subuh was a joint operation between the armed forces and police against the base of the militant group Al-Maunah, in Sauk, in July 2000.
The militant group had been planning to overthrow the government, but were brought down by the joint operation.
Sanghadevan, a Special Branch member, was among three people killed.
The others were army commando Mathew Medan and one of the militants.
Meanwhile, Mathew's father, Medan Nunying, 84, said he was proud of his son's sacrifice.
"Watching the (pantomime) just now, I was very sad. Together, we need to defend this country from our enemies. We are all Malaysians, this is our country," he said.