TANJONG MALIM, Oct 6 — Time might have handed, however the picture of the late former Perak police chief Tan Sri Khoo Chong Kong as a loving father and a agency, brave police officer stays vivid for his daughter, Datin Rita Koo Swee Kim.
Rita, 78, stated a pantomime efficiency held along side the official opening of the Muallim District Police Headquarters (IPD) at present rekindled recollections of her father, almost 51 years after his loss of life, leaving her deeply moved.
“I used to be 25 on the time and residing in Seremban (Negeri Sembilan) after getting married. I obtained a name from a police officer telling me that one thing had occurred to my father, however I used to be given no additional particulars.
“After we heard the information, my husband and I rushed again to Ipoh to see my father and discover out what had occurred to him. He had been attacked with a weapon. I’m actually touched that the Royal Malaysia Police, particularly the Perak police, nonetheless bear in mind him in spite of everything these years,” she stated when met right here at present.
Datin Rita Koo Swee Kim (second left), daughter of the late former Perak police chief Tan Sri Koo Chong Kong, poses together with her husband and little one beside the unique uniform worn by Koo when he was shot useless by communist parts on November 13, 1975, at an exhibition in Ipoh on October 6, 2026. — Bernama pic
Earlier, the Sultan of Perak Sultan Nazrin Shah officiated the opening of the Muallim IPD.
Rita, Khoo’s eldest daughter, stated one of many recollections closest to her coronary heart was how devoted her father was to his work, typically spending lengthy hours on obligation, significantly throughout his service with the Particular Department and operations to fight communist actions.
She stated there have been occasions when her father needed to be away from house for one or two months to hold out operations, leaving her mom fearful about his security.
“He was at all times very busy. There have been occasions when he would go away for an operation and be gone for one or two months. We by no means knew precisely when he could be coming house,” she stated.
Rita stated that regardless of his agency and severe manner whereas on obligation, her father was a loving and caring man at house.
Datin Rita Koo Swee Kim, daughter of the late former Perak police chief Tan Sri Koo Chong Kong, speaks throughout an interview at an exhibition held along side the opening of the Muallim District Police Headquarters in Ipoh on October 6, 2026. — Bernama pic
She additionally described him as a person who stood firmly by his ideas and wouldn’t compromise on what he believed was proper, saying his braveness in finishing up his duties had at all times been an inspiration to her.
In the meantime, Rita stated seeing the official automobile her father as soon as used and the blood-stained uniform he wore through the incident was an emotional expertise, bringing again recollections of her father and the sacrifice he made within the line of obligation.
“It actually takes me again to these days. I had seen the automobile at a museum earlier than, however seeing it once more at present, collectively together with his uniform and listening to the tales about him, actually introduced again so many recollections,” she stated.
Born on November 12, 1925, in Kwangsi, China, the late Khoo was raised in Ipoh and joined the Sarawak Constabulary as an inspector on November 5, 1952, earlier than holding a number of key positions and finally changing into Perak police chief on January 7, 1975.
Beside the official automobile as soon as utilized by her late father, former Perak police chief Tan Sri Koo Chong Kong, Datin Rita Koo Swee Kim (proper) poses together with her little one at an exhibition in Ipoh on October 6, 2026. Koo was shot useless by communist parts on November 13, 1975. — Bernama pic
He was shot whereas travelling house from the Perak Police Contingent Headquarters to his residence on Jalan Tawar, Ipoh, at about 1pm on November 13, 1975, in an assault believed to have been carried out by communist insurgents.
His driver, Corporal Yeong Peng Cheong, was additionally killed within the assault, whereas Khoo succumbed to his accidents on November 14, 1975, about 28 hours after he was shot. — Bernama
* Editor’s word: IPD is the abbreviation in Malay for Ibu Pejabat Polis Daerah (District Police Headquarters).
