Sub Inspector (Rtd) Jakarta Makling has carried a souvenir from a violent encounter with pirates nearly 50 years ago—a 7.62mm bullet lodged in his left shoulder. The incident took place in 1976 off the waters of Lahad Datu, Sabah, during his tenure with the Marine Police.

Jakarta, now 72 and originally from Semporna, Sabah, recalled being shot at while patrolling with his unit. Despite sustaining the injury, he managed to continue firing back at the attackers. Medical personnel at the time opted not to remove the bullet due to the risk of nerve damage in his arm. The projectile remains embedded in his shoulder to this day.

Throughout his four-decade-long career, Jakarta was involved in a total of eight separate shootouts with pirates: six incidents occurred around Lahad Datu and two near Sandakan. His commitment and service have been formally recognized, most recently through an award presented to him by Datuk Seri Mohd Yusri Hassan Basri, director of the Internal Security and Public Order Department.

In another development, Datin Seri Zizie Izette, widow of the late Datuk Seri Bung Moktar Radin, has been described by family members as maintaining emotional strength nearly a year after her husband’s death. Bung Moktar, who served as Member of Parliament for Kinabatangan and assemblyman for Lamag, passed away in December 2025.

Zizie Izette’s brother, Shaheizy Sam, noted that while she appears composed publicly, she tends to keep her emotions guarded. “She looks alright and is very strong mentally. But that’s the thing about strong people. No matter how strong they are, we never know what’s really going on behind the scenes,” he said.