28th April 2021
PATRIOT SALUTES AND BIDS FAREWELL TO OUTGOING IGP
On Monday May 3, IGP Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador will serve his last day in the police force before formally handing command to Deputy IGP Dato Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani. The IGP has put in more than 30 years of illustrious and dedicated service to the nation. Patriot has all praises for the IGP who upon assuming the post two years ago did his best to clean the image and raised the esteem of the force in the public eyes.
On 24th March this year, Tan Sri Hamid made a startling claim that some senior officers within the force were corrupt through their purported dealings with underworld criminals. He also claimed the existence of a cartel of subordinate officers who aimed to topple him and to place selected officers to appointments that in later years will see them secure critical position that will protect the activities of the underworld. Tan Sri Hamid further claimed there were cases where serving officers were required to solicit money from the underworld to be handed over to retired senior officers. He insinuated a former IGP might be involved.
Such claims have generated intense discussion and concern, notably among the public and NGOs who are supportive of the IGP’s effort. There are calls for the government to extend the service of Tan Sri Hamid to allow him to complete his mission to eradicate corruption within the force. However, voices of support seem muted among government officials. Ministers have themselves not shown any concern, which is unexpected of a government and a nation that had once upon a time been dubbed an Asian Tiger aspiring to be a developed nation alongside our southern neighbour, Singapore. Malaysia’s Corruption Perception Index has fallen far behind Singapore and Brunei, and likely to fall further if our government takes a back seat attitude towards corruption especially among the security related agencies of government.
The public is naturally concern if the incoming IGP will continue the unfinished work of Tan Sri Hamid, i.e., at settling the core issue of corruption, notably among senior officers of the force. There is a public sense of skepticism, but Patriot is confident the new IGP will continue with the good work of his predecessor. The public wants to see a police force rid of officers linked to the underworld criminals. The public do not want to see retired senior officers continue to exert influence to solicit money from the underworld through serving officers.
One recalls the episode regarding postings of officers authorised by Tan Sri Hamid prior to his going on leave but was deferred for implementation by the Deputy IGP purportedly on instruction from the Minister. This has cast a negative light of the Deputy IGP. The least he could have done was to consult the IGP before issuing the deferment letter.
Patriot is hopeful the new leadership of the police force will be conscientious of the public aspirations and constant observation to see the force remains in high esteem. The people hope more officers the like of Tan Sri Hamid will emerge. He will leave an indelible mark in the annals of the Malaysian Police Force as a ferocious fighter of corruption.
Members of Patriot bid farewell and stand in salute to Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador.
BG Dato Mohamed Arshad Raji (Rtd)
President,
Persatuan Patriot Kebangsaan
www.patriotkebangsaan.org.my
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