FRU Tragedy: ‘The Red Beret’ Pantomime Moves Audience To Tears

IPOH, July 31 (Bernama) -- Hundreds of spectators at the banquet hall of the Perak Darul Ridzuan building were moved to tears today as they watched a pantomime that reenacted the fatal crash involving the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) Federal Reserve Unit (FRU) and a lorry carrying stones on Jalan Chikus-Sungai Lampam in Teluk Intan on May 13.

The sombre atmosphere accompanied the staging of the pantomime titled ‘Sang Beret Merah’ (The Red Berets), held to commemorate those who have fallen in the tragic incident, which left a deep impact on their families.

The 15-minute pantomime was performed by 20 PDRM personnel and 30 members of the Persatuan Deklamasi Lakon Perak.

The performance also included a poetry recitation by Perak Cultural Council deputy president Azmi Ismail, Perak police contingent representative ASP Samsudin Hussin, and Detective Sergeant Major Bashira Sharif from the Criminal Investigation Department.

The pantomime centered around the journey of the FRU members who were deployed for the Citra Ponami celebration in Teluk Intan before the tragic crash that shocked the nation.

Tears flowed as real-life footage of the fallen FRU members was shown during the performance.

Earlier, the Sultan of Perak, Sultan Nazrin Shah, also watched the pantomime at the 2025 Perak Warriors’ Day celebration.

At 8.50 am on May 13, tragedy struck when a truck carrying 15 FRU personnel from Unit 5 Ipoh collided with a lorry transporting stones while on their way to Ipoh after completing their duty in Teluk Intan.

The crash claimed the lives of nine FRU members; Sergeant Perumal a/l Sugunanathan, 44; Sergeant Mohd Roslan Abd Rahim, 46; Corporal Mohd Pozli Jaudin, 41; Corporal Nurit Ak Pandak, 34; Corporal Amiruddin Zabri, 38; Corporal Mohamad Hilmi Mohd Azlan, 38; Corporal Muhamad Akmal Muhamad, 35; Lance Corporal Damarrulan Abdul Latif, 33; and Constable Akmal Wafi Annuar, 28.

-- BERNAMA