Muhyiddin denies major shake-up in police force

Welcome: United States Ambassador to Malaysia Kamala Shirin Lakhdhir paying Muhyiddin a visit at the Home Minister’s office in Putrajaya. — Bernama

PETALING JAYA: Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin has refuted reports that the country’s top cop will be changed in a major reshuffle affecting the police force.

“I deny that a huge shake-up, including the highest leadership of the police force, will be conducted next month as speculated in some media reports,” said the Home Minister.

However, he did not deny the possibility of some changes within the police ranks in the future.

“Based on the concept of good governance emphasised by the Pakatan Harapan government, I am studying the need for one, to be presented to the Prime Minister.

“I give my assurance the Govern­ment will always ensure that each ministry, agency and department will function with integrity and responsibility,” he said in a statement yesterday.

The Singapore Straits Times, citing sources, reported that there would be a “shake-up” in July when “several chiefs” in the police force are removed, including the Inspec­tor-General of Police.

“Yes, there is going to be an 8.5 Richter scale shake-up soon in July,” a source told the daily.

When asked who will be the first to be replaced, the source said: “No. 1”, referring to the IGP.

IGP Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun was appointed nine months ago to replace Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar.

The report also said that three departments, believed to be riddled with corruption, would be closed down as they have been “protecting” criminals they were supposed to catch.

The three are Special Task Force for Anti-Vice, Gaming and Gang­sterism, Special Task Force on Orga­nised Crime and Special Tactical Intelligence Narcotics Group.