A reshuffle within the police force is part of its preparations to face the next general election, says inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar. 

He was responding to a query about the reasons behind a major reshuffle at the Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID), which was announced as part of a larger exercise two days ago. 

"We are preparing the police to face the (upcoming) general election and Southeast Asian Games (in the country)," he said at a press conference today at Bukit Aman.

"The reshuffle and transfers that we are going to carry out are toward that - to get ready, especially for the polls," he said. 

The Royal Malaysian Police on July 5 announced a plan to reshuffle, transfer and promote senior officers in 46 posts nationwide. The changes will be effective from Aug 7.

It was reported that the director of the Criminal Investigation Department Mohmad Salleh will now helm the NCID, which experienced a scandal in May this year when a number of its officers were arrested for alleged links to drug distribution syndicates. 

Khalid, however, said the reshuffle is a normal practice in the force.

"The next wave of the reshuffle will be my retirement. Then, there will be another (wave) of changes, it is normal," he said. 

Khalid, who is scheduled to retire in September after reaching 60, is tight-lipped on whether his tenure will be extended.

It is speculated that the government may extend his service in view of the upcoming general election.

Meanwhile, Khalid said there is a new development in the abduction of Pastor Raymond Koh.

He, however, declined to reveal as the police were taking some follow-up actions.

"For the time being, we are taking several follow-up actions. So, I am not giving any update yet. There is a development (in the case)," he added.

Koh was abducted on Feb 13 in Kelana Jaya. He was reportedly driving a silver Honda Accord bearing the licence plate number ST 5515 D at the time.

CCTV footage showed the pastor's car being forced to stop after being boxed in by three black SUVs while driving along Jalan SS4B/10, before he was snatched from his car.

A police operation against a smuggling syndicate on June 17 has uncovered an unexpected lead on the abduction of Koh four months ago.

The operation led to a shootout in Kampung Weng Dalam, Kedah, where the prime suspect, in his 40s, was killled.

The police arrested three suspected syndicate members - aged between 30 and 60 - as well as the prime suspect’s widow.

On another development, Khalid urged the Foreign Ministry to pressure Japan to provide a full report on the 10 Malaysians who allegedly smuggled gold bars into that country in April.

He was unhappy that his Japan's counterpart has yet to give a copy of the report to Malaysia, which has been following the case on a daily basis.

"Don't announce the (news) about the involvement of Malaysians if you do not (give us the report)," he said, adding that the Malaysian police need the report to conduct their investigation.

It was reported by Japan Today that more than 100kg of gold bars allegedly brought from Malaysia were confiscated by customs officials at the Kansai International Airport in Osaka.

Japanese officials reportedly discovered the gold bars worth over 500 million yen (RM19.1 million) hidden under the clothing of 10 Malaysians.

The case is being investigated as a suspected violation of the customs and consumption tax laws.