After nearly four decades in blue, Sri Kumar bids emotional farewell

KUALA LUMPUR: After nearly four decades of service, Datuk M.V. Sri Kumar stood before his fellow officers for one final time yesterday to relinquish his duties and bid farewell to the police force.

For the veteran officer, who dedicated 39 years, six months, and six days to the force, the occasion marked the closing chapter of a career shaped by sacrifice, loyalty, and lifelong friendships.

Sri Kumar, who officially retires tomorrow, relinquished his duties as Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order Department (ISPO) deputy director (Crisis and Disaster) during a ceremony at the General Operations Force Central Brigade Headquarters yesterday.

The ceremony was witnessed by ISPO deputy director (Operations) Datuk Muhammad Abdul Halim and attended by ISPO deputy director (GOF/WCB/PSK) Datuk Mohamad Suzrin Mohamad Rodhi.

Rather than delivering a conventional farewell speech, Sri Kumar expressed his emotions through a seloka, a traditional form of Malay poetry, reflecting on his journey in the force.

"After 39 years, six months, and six days, almost four decades of dedicating myself to the force and the country, the time has come for me to leave the service that I love so dearly," he said.

His words carried the weight of a career spent handling demanding responsibilities in policing, from serving in the Special Action Unit to managing crises, disasters, and delicate negotiations.

Yet, as he prepared to leave, Sri Kumar turned his thoughts to the people who had supported him throughout his service.

He paid an emotional tribute to his wife, Datin Kalyani Balakrishnan Nair, and their two sons, describing them as his pillars of strength.

Acknowledging that the demands of policing were not always easy on his family, Sri Kumar said his wife had patiently endured life with a stubborn husband, adding that their support gave meaning to his sacrifices in uniform.

"Without all of you, none of this would have meant anything to me," he said.

He also paid tribute to his late mother, calling her the compass that guided him through life, and expressed hope that his sisters would take pride in his career as he leaves the force.

Sri Kumar reflected on his deep attachment to the ISPO, where he spent approximately 38 years of his service across operations, disaster management, and the Special Action Unit.

He expressed his appreciation to the department's leadership, fellow deputy directors, officers, and personnel for their dedication.

Sri Kumar also reserved a special tribute for officers under his charge in the Negotiators Cell, whom he affectionately referred to as his children.

As he formally handed over his responsibilities to Deputy Commissioner Hakemal Hawari, Sri Kumar expressed confidence in his successor, describing Hakemal as a trusted longtime friend.

Before concluding, Sri Kumar shared five core principles that guided his career: integrity, discipline, efficiency, family, and health.