KUCHING: New roads, buildings and places could be named after state heroes, said Sarawak Premier Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg today.
He said this said after paying his last respects to former police Corporal and Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) bravery medal recipient Etim Jam at Dewan Suarah in Kuching.
He said the state had been discussing this idea for a while and that the state had agreed to name a place after the country's most decorated hero, Kanang Langkau.
The former army Ranger is the only serviceman to receive the SP and the county's second highest gallantry medal, Panglima Gagah Berani.
"The naming of places is to recognise people for their service and sacrifice to the state and country."
Among those who paid their last respects were Yang DiPertua Negeri Tun Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar, who was accompanied by his wife, Toh Puan Fauziah Mohd Sanusi; state legislative assembly Speaker Datuk Seri Mohd Asfia Awang Nassar; Deputy Premier Datuk Amar Douglas Uggah; state Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Minister Datuk Seri Dr Stephen Rundi; and Minister in the Premier's Department Datuk Seri John Sikie Tayai.
Etim, 83, who died of lung cancer at Miri General Hospital on Tuesday, will be buried at Heroes Mausoleum, just opposite Dewan Suarah.
His casket was earlier today flown from Miri by a Royal Malaysian Air Force C-130 transport plane to Kuching.
He was awarded the gallantry medal for his exemplary bravery for charging at communist insurgents after the convoy he was escorting on April 29, 1972, ran into an ambush.
The convoy was transporting explosives and the ambush spot was at Mile 51 of Jalan Oya in Sibu, a hotbed of communist activities then.
His citation read that he, without due regard to his life, charged the far larger communist forces firing from the tall grass and trees by the side of the road.
His actions forced the communists to retreat into the jungle.
