KUCHING: Friends, family and comrades gathered at St Joseph’s Cathedral at 9.30am on Monday (Jan 20) to bid a final farewell to retired police officer Corporal Cosmas Kuda Kandawang, before he was buried at Paradisium Cemetery in Siburan on the same day.
A beloved figure known for his unwavering dedication and kind heart, Cosmas, who passed away on Friday (Jan 17) at 85 years old, was remembered not only for his service to the force but for his lasting impact on his community, and he was a recipient of the Pingat Jasa Negara back in 2019.
Inside the cathedral, mourners filled every pew, their faces etched with sorrow and reverence.
Among them were Cosmas’ children, in-laws, grandchildren who remained stoic, drawing strength from one another as they sat in the front row.
The congregation joined in solemn hymns, their voices mingling in a collective prayer for the soul of the late Cosmas.
As the service concluded, the casket was carried out to the sound of a police bugle.
Outside, a small crowd had gathered, some holding umbrellas against the sun, while others took videos and photos of the casket being carried into the funeral van.
The ceremonial guard saluted as the hearse began its slow journey to the cemetery, escorted by a convoy of police vehicles.
When met by Sarawak Tribune, his daughters Lindan Kuda and Catharine Andan Kuda, both described him as a loving father who wants to see his children to become successful people.
“Even though he is very strict, he loves all of his children with all of his heart,” she said.
Lindan said that her father had been sick for a very long time, ever since her mother (Bibiana Jara Bana) passed away due to cancer in 2023.
“Even since my mother passed away, he missed her so much, and his sickness became even worse,” she added.
Lindan stated that Cosmas was a honest man, and he could do a number of things, such as baking, building fishing equipment and others.
“Because he once said to us, if someone with disabilities can still do things they want, why can’t us,” she added.
Lindan recalled that she was working when she found out from her siblings that her father passed away.
“My siblings informed us in our group chat that he passed away at home, and when we called the ambulance, they (medical personnel) were able to confirm it as well,” she added.
In the meantime, Catharine, who has been working in Sri Aman for 32 years, stated that her relationship with her father remained the same despite being away from him.
“Even though I am not really close to him, I always maintained my contact with him.
“I call him everyday just to check on him, and when Gawai and Christmas came, I always make sure that I would come home and celebrate with him and my siblings,” she said.
One of his proudest moments, Catharine stated, was when he was able to see all of his children get a good education.
“Because he did not have any primary education, and immediately became a police officer, so he was happy to see us able to get a good education and be successful,” she added.
One of his advice, Catharine recalled, was to always have savings, keep some money in case of emergency.
“He told us, to always have some savings and he told us “the money that is being kept would not cry, but if we do not have any savings, we will cry (duit yang di simpan sik nangis, kita sekda duit, kita yang nangis),” she stated.
In the meantime, Lindan thanked her father for everything that he had taught her and her siblings in life.
“Thank you for raising us and become what we are today,” she said.
Catharine added: “I hope when he goes back to the house of the Lord, he is reunited with my late mother.”
