KUCHING, Aug 17 — The Sarawak Ex-Policemen’s Association (PBPM) today announced that it will pull out from the parent body when a study on its new constitution and name is completed at the end of this year.

Deputy Home Minister and Sarawak PBPM chairman Datuk Dr Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar said the decision was in line with the Aug 2009 motion to do so by 10 state branches. 

“We decided to pull out from the Association due to the turmoil at the central leadership level. The problem also caused our application from not being handed over to the Home Ministry.  

“We were independent when we were first formed anyway and only joined the parent body in the mid-90s,” he said at a press conference after an emergency meeting of the association here today.

He said that based on initial information, there would not be any problem in establishing the new association as the federal secretary had sought advice from the Registrar of Societies.

“I’ll also instruct a lawyer to provide the advice needed,” he added.

Commenting on the committee formed to study the association’s new constitution and name, Wan Junaidi said it was chaired by former Sarawak Deputy Police Commissioner Datuk Abang Abdul Wahap Abang Julai, who is also North Kuching City Council Mayor and the chairmen and representatives from all 10 state branches.

“The pro-tem committee will study the new constitution, its name, liaise with the Kuala Lumpur body and Home Ministry,” he said.  

Wan Junaidi said when the new association was set up, he would resign from the chairmanship to prevent any conflict of interest with his post as Deputy Home Minister.

Meanwhile, Wan Junaidi said the proposal to award the ‘Pingat Jasa Pahlawan Negara’ to the retired policemen who had fought against the communist during the emergency, would be discussed at the cabinet level and the matter was raised by Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Ali Hamsa at a meeting last week. — Bernama