Keep commission free of political interference, says outgoing IGP

KUALA LUMPUR: The Police Force Commission (SPP) should not be chaired by a minister to prevent any political interference, says Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador.

The outgoing Inspector-General of Police said a minister should not intervene in the management of the police force.

“A minister should focus on matters involving policies, not deciding who will be CPOs (state police chiefs) or (Bukit Aman) directors.

“I propose that former chief justices or former judges helm the SPP instead of a minister, ” he said during his last press conference here yesterday – three days before his contract ends on Monday.

Abdul Hamid’s remarks were directed at Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin.

“Since the beginning, he has insisted on making the decision on who gets appointed.

“It was hard for me as a leader to operate and arrange the deployment of personnel and officers with such intervention.

“I have discussed the matter with the minister, the Prime Minister and the Chief Secretary to the Government.

“It is not good for the country if a minister still insists on such powers, ” said Abdul Hamid.

The proposal to have a non-politician as the SPP chairman was made previously but it could not be realised, he said.

“If a minister chairs the SPP, political elements will seep into the commission, ” he added.

He noted that the SPP needs to meet more often than its current four times a year, which has led to various pending disciplinary cases.

Abdul Hamid also issued a stern warning to any parties against using the police force as a political tool.

“Don’t play politics; think of the future and welfare of the police force.

“I am saying all this as I feel the public need to know what is going on with the police force. I have no intention of getting my contract extended. I will hand over the reins to Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani on Monday, ” he added.

The IGP said he has no issue with Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin, who was the Home Minister when Pakatan Harapan was in power.

“When he was Home Minister, he didn’t push his way around, instead he only said a few words.

“If it came from a minister, as IGP, I would know what to do.

“The problem started after the change of government last year. There’s bad blood between the Home Minister (Hamzah) and I as we each have our own style of doing things, ” he said.

Abdul Hamid said he will leave it to Acryl Sani to remedy the situation.

“I leave it to him and other officers to toe the line.

“I have cleared the path in battling corruption and increasing the integrity of the police force, he (Acryl) just has to continue on the same path and improve on what I have done, ” he said.

At the event, Abdul Hamid also said that Johor police chief Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay has been proposed as the next Bukit Aman CID director.

He revealed that when asked who would be the next Deputy IGP after Acryl Sani succeeds him as the nation’s top cop.

“The most senior Bukit Aman directors are Integrity and Standard Compliance Department’s (JIPS) Datuk Comm Zamri Yahya, Management director Comm Datuk Ramli Din and Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director Comm Datuk Razarudin Husain.

“They are the three most senior directors. It is up to the Prime Minister.

“We have proposed Comm Ayob to be promoted to take over as CID director. People are rooting for him and want to see him go up, ” he said.

Abdul Hamid also joked that people loved the way Comm Ayob made roti canai, referring to a viral video of the Johor top cop displaying his culinary skills recently.

Acryl Sani officially takes over as IGP on May 4.