IGP opens fire at home minister during final presser
Three days before stepping down as the inspector-general of police (IGP), Abdul Hamid Bador trained his guns on Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin.
The top cop complained about political intervention in the police force and admitted there was “bad blood” between him and the minister...
Three days before stepping down as the inspector-general of police (IGP), Abdul Hamid Bador trained his guns on Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin.
The top cop complained about political intervention in the police force and admitted there was “bad blood” between him and the minister.
"Don't be too proud (and say) the home minister has much power. Come on," he told his last press conference at the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters in Kuala Lumpur this evening.
Hamid said a minister should only be involved in policymaking and should not get involved in the appointments of senior police officers.
He said he raised this matter with both Prime Minister Muhyiddin Yassin and chief secretary to the government Mohd Zuki Ali.
"We have our bosses. We raised it with them but he (Hamzah) still wants the power (to interfere). This is not good for the country," he added.
The outgoing police chief said he also raised the issue with the Police Force Commission (SPP), which he said meets only four times a year.
“It should meet monthly. Even when it meets, it is only for two hours, like a coffee session. Unconcerned,” he said.
Hamid later clarified to the media that he also appealed for an office to be set up.
“I appealed that a special office be made available. It is only quite recently that an office was created for SPP. This happened after I made the appeal,” he said.
Moving forward, Hamid proposed that the commission should be led by a disinterested party such as a former chief justice.
The commission is currently chaired by Hamzah. Under Article 140(3) of the Federal Constitution, the SPP must be chaired by a minister who oversees the police, namely the home minister.
Hamid hinted that the SPP is tainted by “political elements” and questioned the SPP meeting scheduled to be held today.
He said he had informed that he would not attend the meeting because there are “ill intentions” behind it.
“Why are they holding an SPP meeting on Friday? Why not (meet) a week or two earlier so we can discuss and make improvements,” he asked.
Hamid added that the SPP under Hamzah’s leadership still has many pending investigations on police officers who had been suspended for alleged misconduct.
“That is the situation. The issue is not being taken seriously. Imagine if the Public Services Commission does its work like this.
“That’s why the SPP should not be chaired by a minister. It is better if the task is handed to a judge or former judge. When a minister joins, there are political elements,” he said.
The outgoing IGP said he is raising these issues not for personal interest or his legacy, but for the betterment of the police force.
“Don’t play politics with me, think about the police’s future,” he added.
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