LETTER | I would like to applaud and highly welcome the recent plan by the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) to provide bulletproof vests and equipment for its personnel at control posts along the Malaysia-Thailand border.

It gave me no pleasure to read media reports of how one of our General Operations Force personnel was killed last year while his colleague was seriously injured after they were shot at by smugglers at the Malaysia-Thai border.

I must say the plan to equip police personnel with bulletproof equipment is a step in the right direction. These rank and file personnel and officers are placing their lives on the line for national security, and the move will be an added boost not only in protecting them but also in the fight against all threats to the nation -foreign and domestic.

I honestly do not wish to read or hear more news reports of our enforcement and security personnel falling victim to these smugglers. These police officers in my opinion do not ask for much. Their actions of reporting to duty every day to protect our nation is a noble action in itself.

I urge the public to show them gratitude and support. Stand in solidarity with them. Do not criticise the force unnecessarily. There are officers and personnel who have given and risked their all in the name of our beloved Malaysia.

Some of them have even lost their lives while serving and protecting the nation. No amount of posthumous titles or ranks can revive a fallen officer. Please offer them your support and respect.

Do not misunderstand me. I am not only carrying a flag for the police force. What I am saying is extended to all of our uniformed personnel and frontliners, who have tirelessly placed country before self to keep the Jalur Gemilang waving high.