The Young Datuk Aba Huk

The Young Datuk Aba Huk ( Right ) with Michael Juan in typical police khaki shorts.Datuk Aba Huk playing a big role during confrontation years and in operations against communist insurgents in various parts of Sarawak.

In 1963, at 25, Aba became head of the Police Force in the Lower Rajang Basin, comprising Sarikei, Binatang (now Bintangor) and Matu Daro, where he launched seek-and-destroy missions, imposed curfews to seal off the supply routes of the communists, set up listening posts in coastal villages and enforced sea and river patrol to prevent possible encroachments from the sea.

A year later, Aba became deputy superintendent of police for the Sibu Division. He was made border scouts staff officer four years later, responsible for assigning the border scouts to strategic villages as the eyes and ears of the counter-insurgency operations.

This was followed by appointment as commander of the 12th Battalion of the Police Field Force with the specific responsibility of routing the communist insurgents in the First and Second Divisions.

From 1973 to 1977, Aba became divisional superintendent, Kuching after which he took up the position of principal officer of RASCOM, Rajang Security Command, which had the civil service, army and police working together to counter communist insurgency activities.

He later became East Malaysia Brigade Field Force commander, responsible for safeguarding the Sabah coastal areas from possible sea incursions. In 1983, Aba was appointed deputy commissioner of police Sarawak.

In February 1986, Aba Robiyel Huk assumed the role of chief police officer, Penang, the first Sarawakian to head the police force in a semenanjung state.

Dato’ Aba Robiyel Huk’s last posting was as chief police officer of the state of Perak. He retired in 1991.