SHE was no ordinary special constable but one who held the responsibility of safeguarding the neighbourhoods where she was stationed from the potential threat of armed communist movements during the British colonisation of Penang.
Ang Kim Choo, 101, who had served as a special constable from April 1, 1954, to June 1, 1960, in Penang, received her Pingkat Jasa Kebaktian (PJK) award during the state investiture ceremony held at Dewan Sri Pinang today.
Ang, accompanied by her daughter, who wanted to remain anonymous, said that her mother’s service, although a short stint, came following strong recommendations from the police force.
“As a family, we are grateful for this recognition that my mother has received, and we thank the Penang Governor and the Penang government for this award.
“Despite the short spell, my mother’s duty as a special constable was a very challenging one as she was stationed in multiple places to monitor armed communist movements back then,” Ang’s daughter said.
Ang, a widow, is a mother of five and has 12 grandchildren.
During lunch earlier, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow, accompanied by state Social Development, Welfare and Non-Islamic Religious Affairs Committee chairman Lim Siew Khim, former state executive councillor, Datuk Seri Phee Boon Poh and Sungai Puyu assemblyman Phee Syn Tze, shared a light moment with Ang and her family.
Today was the final day of the investiture ceremony, which saw the remaining 274 individuals out of the 1,117, conferred with their respective awards, medals and honours.
Story by Kevin Vimal
Pix by Ahmad Adil Muhammad