LONG-AWAITED POLICE OVERHAUL TO BEGIN BEFORE THE END OF THIS YEAR, SAYS IGP: BUT ABOUT FUZI HIMSELF – WILL HE BE DROPPED ALONG WITH OTHER CONTROVERSIAL SENIOR COPS?

KUALA LUMPUR – The restructuring of the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is expected to begin by the end of the year, said Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun.

The Inspector-General of Police said aside from disbanding three elite police teams – the Special Task Force for Anti-Vice, Gaming and Gangsterism (Stagg), Special Task Force on Organised Crime (Stafoc) and Special Tactical Intelligence Narcotics Group (Sting) – Bukit Aman was also considering other proposals.

“For example, I was informed by the Home Ministry that the Malay­sian Maritime Enforcement Agency will be under them.

“We have not received all the information on it, but there might need to be some coordination bet­ween the marine police and other units within PDRM,” he said.

Mohamad Fuzi was speaking at a press conference after presenting the Pingat Jasa Pahlawan Negara to 100 police officers and personnel at the Police Training Centre.

He also witnessed the handing over ceremony for the Bukit Aman Management Department director’s post between Comm Datuk Seri Abdul Ghafar Rajab and Comm Datuk Asri Yusoff.

Comm Asri, who was previously the Bukit Aman Integrity and Standard Compliance Department (JIPS) director, is taking over from Comm Abdul Ghafar, who has retired.

Comm Datuk Zamri Yahya is taking over as the new JIPS director.

Among the other proposals being considered was the minor structuring of the Eastern Sabah Security Command, said Mohamad Fuzi.

“All proposals are being reviewed, but a final decision has not been made.

“We have to get approval from the Home Ministry and other agencies before proceeding with any form of restructuring,” he added.

On the supposed arrest of fugitive businessman Jho Low, the country’s top cop said neither his counterpart in China nor officials from the Chinese Embassy here could confirm the arrest.

“As such, we cannot confirm the arrest too. The report stating that he was arrested cannot be verified,” he said.

On the recent arrests of seven Islamic State militants, Mohamad Fuzi said two of them had links with a 51-year-old militant housewife, whose plan was to run over voters on polling day.

“We believe two of them were recruited by this woman, whom we had detained earlier in May.

“We are investigating the matter further,” he said.

On the retirement of Comm Abdul Ghafar, the IGP saluted his contributions to PDRM throughout a glittering 39-year career, including a stint as Penang police chief.

“Clearly, he is the paragon of an officer and a gentleman.

“I am sure those who have served under him will miss his leadership. In fact, many officers have admitted that he was like a father figure to them,” he said.

Comm Abdul Ghafar said it was an honour and privilege to have served the police force.

“It’s like the line from that (Frank Sinatra) song: ‘Regrets, I’ve had a few but then again, too few to mention’.

“It has been a fantastic career and I am grateful to all fellow police personnel and officers who worked with me along the way,” he said.

– ANN