KUALA LUMPUR, April 30 — Outgoing Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador described Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin’s interference in police matters as unnecessary and blamed him for the reason behind the existence of different “camps” within the police force.
Abdul Hamid, at a press conference this evening, said that Hamzah as the president of the Police Force Commission (PFC) insisted on deciding transfers of police officers.
“A minister should not interrupt police’s daily affairs. They can only play the role of giving direction, guidance or mandate in relation to that... not decide who becomes deputy director or police chief.
“His (Hamzah) role as president has this power now. That’s why I am shocked with PFC as Hamzah insisted on having the power to decide who will be placed here and there.
“This made it hard for me to carry out my duties. This sort of doing has led to the existence of camps siding some directors, camps siding IGP and so on. I hope this doesn’t continue,” he said at probably his last press conference in Bukit Aman.
Abdul Hamid said he spoke to Hamzah about his interference and the role of PFC.
“I had twice brought it up to the Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin but nothing was done. Hamzah still wanted to have the power... it is not that I want to have the power but I needed it as that was my role.
“I did the groundwork and I know about the problems and the wrongdoings. So I need the power to decide,” he said.
Abdul Hamid said he was also disappointed with the PFC as many investigations into police misconduct were not looked into, and what is worse is the commission only meets four times a year.
“The commission doesn’t even have a physical office. There should be monthly meetings but they only met four times a year. I am not bitter because I did not get the extension as it is my intention to leave so I’m brave... I just want the commission to be important, meeting for two hours over coffee is not enough as there are also police misconduct matters to look into,” he said.
When asked why he did not attend today’s PFC meeting, Abdul Hamid said: “Today I did not attend. Why have it today so last minute when I’m leaving... just 50 minutes and next week I will retire.
“I’m supposed to be the main person in such meetings to give my views. But Hamzah is arrogant saying he is the commission, but what did he do? How many cases were solved? What was important for him was to delay my orders for police transfers.
“I just did what other IGPs have done. Transfer my men when they do wrong. Don’t play politics with me but think about the police force’s future. I Hope Acryl will continue my fight,” Abdul Hamid said referring to his replacement Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani who will take over as IGP effective May 4.
Earlier today, in a sudden announcement, Hamzah handed over the appointment letter to Acryl to take over as the new IGP.
At a press conference later, he admitted to discussing transfer policies concerning the police force, adding that he had done nothing wrong in doing so.
He said it was his voice in the viral audio clip discussing the appointment of police personnel. The clip has been making the rounds on social media for several days.
Hamzah said that the one who committed the offence was the person who secretly recorded his conversation.
In the viral audio clip, a man can be heard discussing giving a Perakian a promotion, plausibly for a police role. The man was also heard saying that another person should no longer decide on the appointment of state police chiefs but can only nominate five names.
