Policewomen: It was a grim task but a job we must do
SEPANG: Insp Lilian Lemat Ngau Jok (pic) isn’t one who is easily cowed. She was undaunted by the dangers posed by the conflict between the Ukrainian forces and the separatists in Donestk when she was there recently.
Despite it being her first exposure to international conflicts, the Bukit Aman forensic team member said she knew she had a task to carry out.
The 29-year-old said her only thought during the two-week mission was to honour those who had perished in Flight MH17.
“I was focused on the task at hand. I knew it would be dangerous, but the families of those who perished deserve justice,” she said after arriÂving from Amsterdam at the KL International Airport yesterday.
“It was my first mission overseas as well,” Insp Lilian added.
The Sarawak-born said the bodies of those recovered were given the “utmost respect” and she was glad that Malaysia, especially Bukit Aman, was able to contribute to the investigations.
Another forensic team member, Insp How Xin Wi, 27, said the villaÂÂgers there related to her the horrors of the crash.
“It was painful to hear it,” she said. “But it is part of my job.”
Insp How said the tension between the Ukrainian forces and the separatists was palpable when the team travelled from Kyiv to Kharkiv.
“While Kyiv was calm, Kharkiv was not,” she said. “The tension that gripped the air was compelling, but I did not let it affect the task that I needed to do.”
Both policewomen were part of the last batch of 83 personnel, who returned from Amsterdam, led by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.
Khalid said Bukit Aman representatives would go to Kyiv and Amsterdam to attend meetings and participate in investigations despite a full withdrawal of its officers from Donestk.
He said the officers would be placed at the Malaysian Embassy in Kyiv to attend discussions with those from Holland, Ukraine and the OrgaÂnisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe.
“We will also send our officers to Amsterdam as part of the joint inÂÂvestigation team,” he said.