KUALA LUMPUR: Rengit assemblyman Datuk Dr Puad Zarkashi has urged the Home Ministry and the Sabah state government to halt the demolition of the home of the late Sergeant Abd Azis Sarikon's widow.
He called on the authorities to find a solution to protect Sitti Bandorah, 51, originally from Semporna, and ensure her well-being.
The late Sergeant Abd Azis, one of six police officers killed in an ambush by armed terrorists in Kampung Simunul, Semporna, hailed from Rengit, Batu Pahat.
As the assemblyman for Rengit, Puad said that the sacrifices of heroes like Abd Azis should not be forgotten.
"It is unjust to demolish the home of his widow, Sitti Bandorah, who is from Semporna. While we celebrate our legal victory over the Kiram heirs in the Dutch court, saving RM62.5 billion, we fail to protect the home of a national hero's family," he wrote in a Facebook post.
"The late Abd Azis was a former police officer. It is heartbreaking to hear Sitti Bandorah express, 'I hate PDRM,' because police personnel were present to facilitate the demolition of her home," he said.
Yesterday, Malaysiakini reported that Sitti Bandorah's home in Kampung Alab, a water village on Pulau Bodgaya in Semporna, was among areas targeted for demolition by the authorities.
She said personnel from various agencies, including the police and Sabah Parks, visited the village yesterday and ordered residents to vacate their homes.
However, her family and other villagers refused to leave until they were threatened with arrest.
A notice from Sabah Parks stated that the homes were encroaching on the Tun Sakaran Marine Park.
Many residents, including Sitti Bandorah, claimed they had been living there for decades.