MIRI: The name Corporal Itim Bijam may not ring a bell today, especially among the young, but Sarawak police recently went out of the way to make sure his services and sacrifices he made were not in vain.
Itim – now 82 – was among four retired policemen who received the Pingat Jasa Pahlawan Negara (PJPN) award last Saturday from acting Sarawak Police Commissioner DCP Datuk Mancha Ata in honour of their services during the Emergency.
All were presented the award at their residences here during the ‘Jejak Perwira’ programme in conjunction with the 215th Police Day Commemoration, the others being Corporal William Lian Awan, Sergeant Engkulau Kudang@Jepson Enkulau and Lance Corporal Parill Libut.
Itim, arguably the most decorated among them, is a recipient of the nation’s highest award, the Pingat Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP), which was awarded on July 6, 1972 by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong.
His story of valour unfolded on April 29, 1972, when he and four other members of the Sarawak Police Field Force were assigned to escort a convoy carrying explosives from the Public Works Department (JKR) to a quarry area in Mubal, Sibu.
At 2pm that day, the convoy was ambushed by a group of communist terrorists in a thick forested area between Mile 30 and Mile 43 of Jalan Ulu Oya.
The ambush brought the convoy to a stop in the middle of the road but Itim and his comrades-in-arms though nothing of risking life and limb to defend the convoy and the civil servants with them.
Itim and his then-chief, the late Sub-Inspector Ngalinuh Bala, brought the fight to them by closing in on the communist stronghold area while his three other comrades retaliated by firing back at the CTs.
The strategy led to nearly four hours of fighting against about 100 communists, later with the help of a platoon of PFF personnel who happened to pass by the area.
The additional men and firepower rejuvenated Itim and his comrades who fought tooth and nail until the communists withdrew and abandoned their stronghold.
Although at that time, Itim was only a constable, the courage he showed in the firefight earned him, along with five other Sarawakians, the SP, from the King.
Itim was born on Dec 31, 1940 in Lubok Antu, Simanggang and served as a PFF Constable from Feb 27, 1963.
On March 1, 1985, he was promoted to the rank of Lance Corporal and subsequently to the rank of Corporal on Jan 1, 1995 until his compulsory retirement from the Police Force on Dec 31, 1995.
Last Saturday he and the other recipients graciously accepted the PJPN award from Mancha, knowing they have not been forgotten.
Also present were Miri OCPD ACP Alexson Naga Chabu, Sarawak IPK Administrative Superintendent James Jonathan who represented the Sarawak Contingent Management Department chief and Sarawak IPK Public Affairs Branch/Retired Police Office ASP Daya Buteh.
