Snob! old IGP to new IGP

Ex-IGP Musa Hassan says the current IGP Ismail Omar is "snobbish" as he does not want to improve the police force by curbing outside interference.

PETALING JAYA: Tensions between Inspector-General of Police Ismail Omar and his predecessor and Musa Hassan reached new heights today, with the latter calling the former “snobbish” for being unwilling to change.

Yesterday, Musa held a press conference here revealing that there was direct political interference over the police force during his time and it continued to occur now.

He urged Ismail to be “tough” and regain control of his men from, among others, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein’s interference.

However, Ismail today replied saying that he did not have the time for things that were “not important”.

“For me, I’ve got to concentrate on giving the best services to you, I will concentrate on reducing fear of crime, and thirdly I want to prepare before the general election,” he was quoted as saying.

Responding to this, Musa chided Ismail for not wanting to change.

“He doesn’t want to improve things and change in order to curb outside interference. He is just allowing things to run as it is and do not even want to introspect and regards it as unimportant.

“This shows his snobbish character and that he has closed his mind to any public opinion,” he told FMT.

Asked if Musa still harboured hope for the police, he said:” Yes I do as there are many other capable officers who have credibility that could bring about improvement. Thus it is up to the political masters to decide whether they want any change or not.”

On whether he was referring to Deputy Inspector-General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar, Musa replied:”Anyone whom the political masters think is capable after checking their records with the MACC.”