MIRI: The Malaysian Armed Forces Veterans Association (PVATM) Miri branch, led by its chairman Nelus Nyelang, paid their last respects to the late Corporal (Retired) Etim Jam, who passed away on Tuesday morning at the age of 83.
Nelus Nyelang, when met later, described the passing of the recipient of the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) medal as a great loss to the nation and to the members of the Malaysian Armed Forces.
“His most notable act of valor occurred on April 29, 1972, when he and the late Ngalinuh Bala, another recipient of the country’s highest gallantry award, were ambushed by communist insurgents while escorting explosives for the Public Works Department in the Jalan Oya area, Sibu. Despite being heavily outnumbered, Etim and his comrades successfully defended their convoy, an act for which he was awarded the highest Malaysian honor on July 6, 1972 by the then Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he recounted.
Nelus was leading a group of five members of the PVATM Miri branch in paying their last respects to the late hero at Etim’s eldest daughter, Linda Nacha’s residence at Lot 2708 Spring Riam here.
During the visit, Nelus presented contributions to Linda while also extending support to the grieving family.
Corporal (Retired) Etim Jam, the last surviving recipient of the Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa (SP) medal from Sarawak, passed away on June 4, at Miri Hospital due to complications from lung cancer.
Etim, a distinguished hero and one of only six SP recipients from Sarawak, succumbed to his illness at 6:49 am after being admitted to the hospital on May 28 for treatment.
According to the late Etim’s daughter, Linda, her father’s remains will be transported to Kuching using a military aircraft on June 6 for a State funeral ceremony.
The body will be brought to the Kuching Civic Centre before proceeding to St. Thomas Cathedral for the funeral service.
He will be laid to rest at the Heroes Grave in Kuching with full state honors.
The nation mourns the loss of a true hero, whose bravery and service will be remembered for generations to come.
