The performance was held to commemorate the men who died defending the country following the intrusion by armed Sulu terrorists in Sabah, Bernama reported.

It was held in conjunction with the 216th Police Day parade at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) in Kuala Lumpur. Police Day falls on March 25 every year.

During the 30-minute performance choreographed by Bukit Aman internal security and public order department director Hazani Ghazali, Anwar could be seen wiping away tears.

The pantomime was performed by 86 officers and policemen from the 69 commando team (VAT 69), air operations team, the general operations team and the police museum.

Family members of ASP Zulkifli Mamat and Sgt Sabaruddin Daud, who died during the incursion, also took part in the performance.

The atmosphere around Pulapol became increasingly sombre, especially when the victims’ next of kin appeared at the end of the performance.

In February 2013, the nation was rocked by news of an intrusion by armed Sulu terrorists who had entered Malaysian waters in stages at Felda Sahabat in Lahad Datu.

On March 1, a shootout occurred in Kampung Tanduo in which 10 Malaysian security personnel and 68 Sulu terrorists were killed. The conflict was declared over on April 10.

The Yang di-Pertuan Agong, Sultan Abdullah Sultan Ahmad Shah, and Raja Permaisuri Agong, Tunku Azizah Aminah Maimunah Iskandariah, also attended the celebrations.

It was considered a historic occasion as Sultan Abdullah is the first King to attend the annual event.