Former anti-corruption adviser Robert Phang has denied the claim that he had influenced the transfer of a senior police officer, as alleged by former inspector-general of police Musa Aman.

At a press conference in Kuala Lumpur today, Phang mocked Musa, saying the allegation has painted him as someone with “supernatural powers” and capable of influencing transfers within the police force.

NONE “I deny that I have caused this officer’s transfer within 24 hours,” said Phang (left) , adding that he does not know to whom Musa was referring.

Musa told a press conference on Monday that Phang had threatened the police officer for refusing his request to commission an upgraded police communications system under a project with Motorola Technology Sdn Bhd in 2009.

Musa claimed that when the officer refused to do so, the latter was transferred within 24 hours. He also claimed that the officer carried a 'Datuk' title and holds a doctorate.

Phang said that it would be preposterous to suggest that he had the influence to affect a police officer with such credentials, adding that a police officer with such decorations would likely have at least attained the rank of Assistant Commissioner.

'Award of contract nothing to do with me' 

Phang, who is an independent adviser with Motorola Technology, clarified that he was only appointed in 2009, after the deal was secured and that he had no hand in it.

“How (the deal was) secured is none of my business. I was appointed in 2009... The award of the contract had nothing to do with Robert Phang's contribution,” he said.

It was later pointed out to Phang that he had attended a press conference by Motorola Technology in February 2008, when the company announced further investments in Malaysia.

NONE Phang maintained that he had no official links with the company at that time.

To another question, he said he was both the company adviser and a member of the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) advisory panel at the same time, but that there was no conflict of interest.

He voluntarily resigned from the MACC advisory panel in January 2011 after being accused - in an anonymous blog - of bribing a public official, but was cleared of this by the MACC last August.

'Musa is hurting the police'

On Monday, Musa called on the authorities to investigate Phang over the Motorola deal. He did not reveal that if the police, under his administration at the material time, had done the same.

Phang also dismissed Musa's claim that the former had offered to be the latter's advisor as he had previously advised another former IGP, Hanif Omar.

He said that although he had been acquainted with Hanif, he had never sought to advise him and even challenged reporters to verify this with the latter.

When contacted, Hanif declined comment as he is currently abroad and had not been keeping himself abreast with Musa's recent outburst.

Phang said that these allegations made by Musa had damaged the credibility of the police force and he vowed to lodge reports with the appropriate authorities to have the allegations thoroughly probed.

He said that he and his lawyers were also exploring other legal options.

“I have been advised (to take legal action). Not for myself, but because the allegations is damaging to the police - that an outsider can influence them,” he said.