KUALA LUMPUR, March 13 — Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun confirmed today he will retire in early May.
He also declined to speculate on purported plans at the Prime Minister’s Department to extend his tenure by another six months.
“As far as I’m concerned, I didn’t get any note on this (extension).
“So, I can’t comment. What I’m sure is my service will end early May,” he told reporters after attending the handover ceremony of the federal police’s Criminal Investigation Department director and presenting the Pingat Jasa Pahlawan Negara (PJPN) medals to 93 senior officers at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol).
Malay Mail previously reported one name that has been mentioned frequently to take over from Mohamad Fuzi is Special Branch department director Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador.
Abdul Hamid was transferred from Bukit Aman to the Prime Minister’s Department in 2015 at the height of investigations into 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
He caused a stir when he refused to clock in at the Prime Minister’s Department and alleged a cover-up in the investigations.
Hamid, 58, returned to the force in May last year following the 14th general elections and took over the Special Branch director role from Datuk Seri Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff.
Prior to that Abdul Hamid had been with the force for 37 years and served in various key departments.
“He is the obvious choice right now given his vast experience, he is, in fact, the first choice and is expected to take over from Mohamad Fuzi in May.
“It will be very interesting to see the changes and new policies that he will bring to the force,” a source privy to the decision told Malay Mail then.
Another source said Abdul Hamid’s return as the special branch chief following the installation of the new Pakatan Harapan government clearly shows he has the trust of the current leadership.
“When Abdul Hamid took over, he had said that the main role of the Special Branch is to thwart any threats, either internally or externally, that might hinder the initiatives of the new government.
“He clearly knows what is needed to be done with the massive change that the country is going through now.
“He criticised the way 1MDB investigations were handled by the previous administration and openly said that his department had advised the previous government to explain the issue clearly to the people,” the source said.
The source added that Abdul Hamid’s credibility, upright attitude, honour and his experience make him the top choice for the position.
