KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 3 (Bernama) -- Names like Ada bin Kulim, Itim s/o Bijam, S. Kulasingam, Abdul Razak Mohd Yusof and Sia Boon Chee may not ring a bell for most of us but to the Royal Malaysia Police they are symbols of gallantry and loyalty to the country.

The life stories of these five men and 33 others, all recipents of the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (S.P.) and Panglima Gagah Berani (P.G.B.) medals, will be narrated to the police force on Jan 7 and 8 to enhance the integrity of the members.

President of the Institute of Integrity Malaysia (IIM) Datuk Dr Mohd Tap Salleh told a press conference today that the programme, jointly organised by the institute and the police, would also see the recipients of both the medals gathered together for the first time.

"Since the medals were introduced in 1960, thirty-eight policemen had received them. Twenty-three of them are alive, and 20 of them will be at the gathering. We hope they can be role models for the members of the police force.

"The recipients were awarded the medals for their sacrifice to the country, especially in crime prevention and, at one time, for their fight against the communist threat," he added.

Some 300 police officers nationwide are also expected to attend the programme, to be held at IIM.

Mohd Tap said a book on the sacrifice of the 38 recipients of the medals, entitled "Warisan Perjuangan Perwira Sang Saka Biru", would be launched by Inspector General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan on Jan 7.

Meanwhile, Police Deputy Director of Management (Research and Development) Datuk Benjamin Hasbie said it would be made compulsory for police recruits to read the book.

BERNAMA