ASP Mohamad Hasnal willing to serve in Lahad Datu again

ALOR SETAR: "I would be willing to go to Lahad Datu and Semporna again if needed. Such a sacrifice would be worthwhile," said ASP Mohamad Hasnal Jamil responding to a question from a reporter if he would go back to the two districts in east Sabah if asked to.
The hero of a bloody militant intrusion in Lahad Datu and Sempora in 2013, which almost took his own life, was selected as recipient of the Bintang Keberanian Kedah (BKK) medal at Istana Anak Bukit today.
Born on May 30, 1982 in Pendang, Mohamad Hasnal led the list of 77 recipients of the state awards and medal in conjunction with the 87th birthday of the Sultan of Kedah, Tuanku Abdul Halim Mu'adzam Shah.
The medals were presented by Kedah Regency Council chairman Tan Sri Tunku Sallehuddin ibni Almarhum Sultan Badlishah. Mohamad Hasnal, who was involved in the tragedy in Kampung Air Simunul, Semporna on March 2, 2013, which left 10 enemies dead and 14 detained, while six security personnel were killed.
Mohamad Hasnal himself was grievously hurt when fighting the militants including being hacked six times with a machete which almost severed his hand. He was also shot thrice in the stomach and left arm.
Feeling touched and proud of being awarded the medal, he thanked the state government for recognising his sacrifices.
"I am proud to receive this honour from Kedah. It shows that our struggles in Sabah to defend the country was appreciated," he said.
Mohamad Hasnal said the award was not only for himself, but was also for the six security personnel who died in the incident. Mohamad Hasnal said each Malaysian should feel love for the country in order to ensure lasting peace and wellbeing.
"The team and I were trapped for 22 hours (in the village). I sustained six injuries, in the stomach and hand, my hand was slashed three times, and I got warded for 3 weeks. "We would fight off any intruder who came. We fought for the country, not to get an award," said Mohamad Hasnal.
The six policemen killed in the incident in Kampung Air Simunul were Supt Ibrahim Lebar, ASP Michael Padel, Sargeant Baharin Hamit, Sargeant Abdul Aziz Sarikon, Corporal Salam Togiran and Lance Corporal Mohd Azrul Tukiran. Mohamad Hasnal, who has a wife and a five-year-old son, now serves the Bukit Aman Special Branch. – Bernama