BY LEONG Z-KEEN
KUCHING: It was a somber atmosphere at the Heroes’ Grave at Jalan Taman Budaya here as national hero, Corporal (Rtd) Etim Jam was laid to rest on Friday (June 7).
Etim, 83, was one of the last six recipients of Malaysia’s highest honour – the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa medal, and had breathed his last on June 4.
The casket carrying Etim arrived at the cemetery at around 11am, and saw eight pall-bearers from the Sarawak Police Contingent carrying the casket to its final resting place alongside the other heroes of the past.
It then continued with the committal service led by Rev Canon Roannie Cannidy from St Thomas’ Cathedral.
Family members, police and army officers as well as the public mourned the loss of a brave and honourable policeman at the cemetery before he was lowered into the ground.
During the burial ceremony, Etim’s beloved family members also gave the hero a final sendoff at the graveyard by showering the casket with flowers.
Also present were Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah Embas; Deputy Minister for Labour, Immigration and Project Monitoring, Datuk Gerawat Gala; Deputy State Secretary Datu Buckland Bangik, Sarawak Police Commissioner Datuk Mancha Ata, Third Infantry Brigade commander Brig-Gen Mohd Sauffi Omar, and former First Infantry Division commander Lt-Gen (Ret) Datuk Stephen Mundaw.
Earlier, before the burial, a funeral service was held at the St Thomas’ Cathedral with Rev Canon Roannie leading the mass which started at 9.20am.
During the service, Bishop of the Anglican Church in Sarawak and Brunei, the Right Reverend Datuk Danald Jute also delivered a condolence message.
On June 6, Etim’s remains were flown here from Miri before being placed at the Kuching Civic Centre for dignitaries, family members and the public to pay their last respects.
The ex-Police Field Force (now General Operations Force) soldier, was admitted to the hospital on May 28. He had been suffering from lung disease for several years, with his conditions deteriorating over the past week.
Etim leaves behind daughters Linda Nacha, Nur Mila, Lily, and nine grandchildren.
Another daughter, Julia, predeceased him.
