Bravery Award Recipient Corporal Etim Jam Laid to Rest
A Somber Farewell for a National Hero
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. The committal service was led by Rev Canon Roannie Cannidy from St Thomas’ Cathedral.
Mourners Gather to Honor Etim Jam
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 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.
A Final Goodbye at St Thomas’ Cathedral
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.
Corporal Etim Jam’s Legacy
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.