TANJUNG MALIM: "Outside, I look strong but inside, I am crying... 20 years of living together and two years after going to Ulu Tiram, he finally comes home to me in a coffin."
Azhar Khaiden, 54, the father of the late Constable Ahmad Azza Fahmi Azhar, 22, who died in the attack on the Ulu Tiram police station early yesterday morning, shared with reporters his sadness after the burial of his son at the cemetary in Kampung Poh, near Bidor here at 7.20pm today.
He said he was heartbroken and could not hold back the tears everytime he looked at his son's coffin during the seven-hour journey home from the Tunku Laksamana Abdul Jalil Mosque at the Johor police contingent headquarters to their residence here, today.
"When I looked at (the deceased's coffin), I shed tears. When I led the funeral prayer at home earlier, I could no longer hold back (the tears).
"Before, we could see him but now he has disappeared from our eyes. Those who have experienced (this loss) will understand.
"We feel sad when the kittens we have as pets die, what more our own child," he said.
Azhar, who works as a teacher at Sekolah Kebangsaan Felda Sungai Kelah, said his wife, Nurhaliza Awaluddin, 49, is still grieving over the sudden passing of their son, the fourth of eight siblings.
"In order to restore my wife's spirit, I hope the police can consider transferring my son, Lance Corporal Ahmad Azza Fitri Azhar, 24, who is stationed at the Gaya Island police station in Sabah, to Perak.
"We have two sons, one is gone. The other one is here but far away... please bring him closer to home so that I can restore my wife's spirit," he said.
Azhar said that the deceased's younger sister, Nur Azza Assyaadah, 19, was also scheduled to attend an interview for a police position at the General Operations Force (PGA) in Ulu Kinta, Ipoh, next week.
He also expressed his appreciation to the members of the force that came to the cemetery and helped with the arrangements for the burial.
Also present to pay their last respects were the Deputy Inspector General of Police, Datuk Seri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, Perak police chief Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri and Tapah district police chief Superintendent Mohd Naim Asnawi.
Perak Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Saarani Mohamad also paid a visit to the deceased's family home today.
He arrived at 8.30pm and spent about 30 minutes speaking to Azhar, before joining about 50 people in a yasin and tahlil recital at the residence.
Saarani was earlier reported saying that the state government would channel a special contribution of RM5,000 to Ahmad Azza Fahmi's family.
In the attack at 2.45am yesterday, Ahmad Azza Fahmi was killed when he was slashed by a masked intruder wielding a parang at the Ulu Tiram police station.
Another policeman, Constable Muhamad Syafiq Ahmad Said, 24, died after being shot in the shoulder and stomach by the same person.
A third policeman, Corporal Mohd Hasif Roslan suffered injuries and was treated at Sultan Ismail Hospital in Johor Baru.
The assailant was shot dead.