PETALING JAYA, 28 Nov: Former Chief of Police, Tan Sri Musa Hassan today accused the Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein of ‘interfering’ in the duties of the Royal Malaysian Police (RMP or PDRM in Malay).
He said that Hishammuddin had given orders directly to junior officers and a district police chief without his knowledge when he served as Inspector General of Police (IGP).
Previously, Musa had worked for four decades in the RPM and had led the police force for four years since 2006 before being replaced by Tan Sri Ismail Omar on 13 September 2010.
Musa said that the actions of the Minister to give directions to police officers is not appropriate because it is against the provisions of the law.
“So, I had highlighted to him (Hishammuddin) Section 4 (1) of the Police Act (1967, stating) that the direction and control of the police is under the IGP and not under the authority of the Minister.
“Of course, I cannot be rude to him because Hishammuddin is a minister.
“I spoke to him very politely. He did not like it, “said Musa.
He said this in the Increased Crime Rate Special Press Conference at a hotel here.
Also participating in the press conference was the Chairman of the Malaysian Crime Watch Task Force (MyWATCH), R Sri Sanjevan, of which Musa has became a patron of.
He said that there had been complaints from police officers who said that they had received orders not from (their police superiors) but from the Ministry of Home Affairs (KDN).
“In fact, the ministry may issue directions now … Who has the power now?”
“Something has to be done by the top management of the police to correct the issue; which is not right,” he said.
According to Musa, he is giving this advice so that the police force will improve the quality of their work and maintain the image of professionalism.
When asked whether the current IGP, Ismail Omar had lost control of the police force, he said that the IGP himself should give an explanation.
“Tan Sri Ismail Omar himself, as the Chief of Police, should and (can) correct the situation,” he said.
