Malaysia's Federal Investigation Team (FIT), a secret police outfit 'revealed' during the interrogation of an Internal Security Act (ISA) detainee in mid-2001, is the world's second-best after MI5, Britain's defensive security intelligence agency.

Saari Sungib, in a 158-page personal account of the grilling he went through during the 60-day detention period between April 10 and June 2, 2001, claimed the chief investigating officer repeatedly 'fed' him with information o­n the shadowy elite force known as "the guardian".

He quoted the officer as saying that the group not o­nly advises the prime minister but also determines national security policies.

"The concept and implementation of this group was established by (second prime minister) Tun (Abdul) Razak to ensure the country is not colonised by foreign powers and ruled by foreigners," Saari quoted his interrogator in the report based o­n his 54-day questioning at a police detention centre in Kuala Lumpur.

"The implementation was based o­n his (Tun Razak) belief that the group will make sure o­nly Malays wore the mantle of ruling power in this country."

Quoting his interrogator, Saari said the elite team comprised 100 percent of Malay Muslims because other races and non-Muslims were untrustworthy.

Apart from having the final say in who makes it as prime minister and cabinet ministers, Saari quoted his interrogators implying that the FIT also had a hand in the downfall of former cabinet minister Megat Junid Megat Ayob who quit politics in May 2001.