From Special Branch top cop to 'enemy of the state'

PETALING JAYA: Former Special Branch deputy director Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador (pix) says he will not back down from criticising the Government's handling of 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) despite now being labelled an “enemy of the state”.

He said his decision back in August to openly hit out at the Government’s investigation into the troubled state investment firm was a painful one which required much thought and deliberation, but one worth the sacrifice.

“Having served the same Government under four prime ministers for more than 36 years, diligently I believe, most people would think it is unwise for a soul like me to ‘lawan towkay’. More so when my swansong (retirement) is just months away.

“A rational thinking mind would say I should have kept quiet and let those 1,000 days left in my service to unwind in the comfort of a big office in Putrajaya, where one can rub shoulders with those big guns in the corridors of power,” he said in a letter dated Oct 6 and sighted by The Star.

The former cop said although he had lost many friends through his actions, he did not wish to keep quiet as it would not have given him any comfort to later reminisce on the golden moments he had while serving the Government.

“Friends become foes, the phone rang less frequently, no more calls from my former peers and subordinates...Well, that is fine for me.

“Thanks to the various trainings that I went through all these years, my resolve toughens as time goes,” he said, adding that people no longer wanted to be associated with a “rowdy rebel” like him for fear of angering the powers that be.

Abdul Hamid said speaking openly had put him at risk of being punched or shot at by supporters of the Government every time he stepped out for a meal.

“Having realised the possibilities, I do take steps to watch my back vigilantly...of course I can’t disguise my ‘ah-pek’ look,” he said, referring to his Chinese looks.

“But thankfully, I am blessed with neighbours who are caring enough about my safety at home.”

Abdul Hamid also hit out at his former compatriots in law enforcement, saying that he was subjected to "James Bond-like actions" against him when he was not the real enemy.

“On Aug 23, after the session with the media I caught red-handed an agent of the state from a ‘friendly agency’ trying to clandestinely photograph me.

“We only do that kind of James Bond thing on the real enemies, hardened criminals or terrorists...I am not a member of the Islamic State and neither am I out to destroy the country and society,” he wrote.

He said he will not be cowed and will soldier on to put the nation back on the right footing.

“God willing I will not submit to all these unlawful acts of intimidation. Cowardice is not part of my upbringing. I will soldier on to try to put our beloved Malaysia back on the right track and get those robbers punished. Justice will prevail,” he added.

Abdul Hamid was transferred to the Prime Minister’s Department on Aug 18 after defending former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, who has turned a vocal critic of Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak.