Hisham dismisses ex-IGP’s claims as distraction from Umno assembly

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 29 — Tan Sri Musa Hassan’s claim yesterday that the government interferes in police matters is merely an attempt to divert attention from the ongoing Umno general assembly, party vice-president Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein said today.

The former IGP claimed Hishammuddin was among the ministers and politicians whom he claimed would regularly interfere in police matters.

Hishammuddin, who was named by the former Inspector-General of Police as among those who interferes in police investigations, added that the issue has already been discussed and explained in Parliament.

“There are parties trying to divert (attention) with side issues... I hope the public will not be confused with their agenda.

“It is an attempt to divert from issues here (Umno assembly),” he told a press conference at the Umno general assembly here.

Fellow Umno vice-president Datuk Seri Shafie Apdal backed his party colleague but said he was confident that Musa was mature enough and would not be so easily manipulated.

“The former IGP is human, if he drowns, he would cling on to even twigs (for survival),” he said.

“But I am certain Musa is mature, it would not be so simple for him to be manipulated this way,” the minister added.

Musa dropped a bombshell at a press conference yesterday when he named Hishammuddinas among the ministers and politicians whom he claimed would regularly interfere in police matters during his term as IGP.

The former top cop described his working relationship with Hishammuddin as cordial, but the home minister did not see eye-to-eye with him on the command of the police force.

“When I found out that instructions were given to junior officers and OCPDs (Officer in Charge of Police Districts) without my knowledge, then something is wrong.

“So I highlighted to him the section 4(1) of Police Act ... command and control of the police force is by the IGP, not a minister.

“I talked to him nicely, he didn’t like it ... that’s why (my tenure) was not extended,” Musa claimed.

Musa, who retired as IGP in September 2010, even suggested that the practice still continues today, saying that his refusal to indulge those who tried to interfere was likely the reason why his contract was not renewed.