KUALA LUMPUR – “I don’t intend to overstay one’s welcome… every beginning has an end,” said outgoing Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador, who will hand over the post to his deputy and successor, Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, tomorrow.
On anything he was not able to do during his two years at the helm of the Royal Malaysia Police, he cited not being able to visit Sabah and Sarawak to solve problems facing the Sang Saka Biru team.
“I have nothing to regret, but it had been my intention to go there (Sabah and Sarawak) because there are so many issues there that cannot be resolved, such as gambling and border problems.
“I was not able to go to Sabah and Sarawak because of Covid-19,” he said.
He said something drastic needed to be done in Sarawak and expressed the hope that the new PDRM leadership will focus on issues concerning police integrity, smuggling, online gambling and vice activities there.
Hamid was appointed IGP on May 4, 2019, and his contract ends tomorrow.
As the 12th IGP, Hamid strived to restore the dignity of the force and eliminate corruption among his men.
“It pains me to see one by one of my men brought to court (for corruption),” he said.
He is known as an IGP who does not hesitate to reprimand PDRM members with integrity problems, as well as those involved in power abuse, misconduct and other criminal cases.
His outspokenness in exposing cartels in the force, however, was condemned and criticised by various quarters, including members of the PDRM and politicians unhappy with his actions.
Among the major successes of the police force during Hamid’s tenure were crippling a drug smuggling syndicate in Penang that led to the seizure of RM2.4 billion worth of drugs, the Macau Scam syndicate and online gambling, which also exposed the involvement of members of the police force.
Some 31 police personnel were suspected of colluding with the Macau Scam syndicate and online gambling activities, and action was take against them, with some being dismissed, demoted or transferred to other positions.
With Hamid leaving the force, the task of bringing back the integrity and dignity of the Sang Saka Biru team now lies on the shoulder of Acryl Sani, who will become the nation’s 13th IGP. – Bernama, May 2, 2021
