Former Special Branch deputy director Abdul Hamid Bador has alleged the existence of a clandestine group attempting to put a lid on the 1MDB issue.

He dubbed the group ‘Gang Hang Tuah’ but did not disclose the identities of those involved.

Abdul Hamid mentioned the group when Malaysiakini quizzed him on a fake WhatsApp message claiming he would file a report against former premier Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

He blamed the group for spreading the false message which announced he would hold a press conference at the Bukit Aman police headquarters and expose Mahathir’s involvement with Sarawak Report on the tampering of 1MDB documents in the bid to oust Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak.

Abdul Hamid also claimed the group is led by ‘Si Kitol’, and vowed to reveal more about the mastermind.

Si Kitol refers to the traitor who revealed defence secrets of Malacca to the Portuguese, leading to the downfall of the Malay sultanate.

“I am sure it is those from the Hang Tuah team who is responsible for this disinformation, including the one known as Si Kitol,” said Abdul Hamid. “I will expose this Si Kitol’s name soon.”

Pressed further on ‘Gang Hang Tuah’, Abdul Hamid said: “This gang wants to stop the 1MDB issue from being questioned.”

“This gang is willing to kiss hands to safeguard personal interests,” he added.

Told to be careful

Meanwhile, Abdul Hamid also said he has received numerous phone calls from people advising him to be careful since certain quarters may do “extraordinary things” to silence him.

However, the former police officer of 37 years said he would remain steadfast in upholding the vow made during his training “to die to defend the truth”.

“I am only afraid of Allah’s wrath... I am willing to die to defend the truth for my beloved country.... death comes only once.

“Killing me will not cover up the crime committed,” he stressed.

Last Tuesday, Abdul Hamid was abruptly transferred to the Prime Minister’s Department. He was offered the post of deputy director on security issues and transnational crime.

He claimed to be in the dark about the reason behind the removal of his powerful Special Branch’s position.

However, inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar said the transfer was normal and denied that there was a purge of the Special Branch department, including the retirement of Special Branch chief Akhil Bulat last month.