“We shared a lot of challenges but with them came the happy moments of overcoming them and achieving success,” he said.

He voiced his gratitude for the brotherhood and friendship.

“It has truly been an unforgettable journey. I live by the motto ‘once a friend, always a friend''.

“I prefer to see this not as a goodbye but to see you again in the future. May our paths cross again,” he said in a speech during the handing-over ceremony for the post of the secretariat''s director of police services yesterday The secretariat, among others, works towards harmonising and standardising coordination among Asean police institutions.

ACP Dr. Bakri, who has been with the police force for 37 years, said he has worked in various departments including the Criminal Investigation Department, and the Traffic Investigation and Enforcement Department.

He said the stint at the secretariat has been a rewarding experience.

“It is a lesson that will surely live long in my memory. The experience has certainly made me a better police officer,” he said.