Inspector-General of Police Mohamad Fuzi Harun extended his condolences to the family of retired police officer Sia Boon Chee who died yesterday.

In a statement here today, he described Sia's demise as a huge loss to the nation.

Sia, 65, breathed his last at 1.50 am at the Cardiothorasic Intensive Cardiac Unit of the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia Hospital in Kuala Lumpur following a stroke.

His funeral will be held tomorrow at the Xiao En Centre, Jalan Kuari, Cheras.

Sia joined the police force on Oct 1, 1973 and retired on March 13, 1994.

His last post before retiring was deputy chief of the narcotics department in Bukit Aman.

He was conferred with the Pingat Bintang Seri Pahlawan Gagah Perkasa by the seventh Yang di-Pertuan Agong, as an appreciation of his contributions and sacrifices in defending the country from communist threats.

- Bernama