Poser over choice of Abdul Hamid as IGP on contract

The acting Deputy Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Abdul Hamid Bador is Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad's top choice among other candidates for the IGP post.

However, it is believed that there is a lack of consensus within the police force, said a source.

If Abdul Hamid (photo above) is appointed as the new IGP, replacing Mohamad Fuzi Harun who is expected to retire on May 4, he will be the IGP on contract.

"Tun's choice does not go down well with certain quarters.

"The question raised was: why appoint someone who is on contract? By right, there are other candidates with premier civil service grade who are in waiting for the top post," said the source.

He added that this was discussed and debated in a meeting by the Home Ministry.

"There's a precedent case, in that, one Mohamed Khalid Yusuf was appointed as the Customs director-general on contract.

"So in that sense, it was agreed that there should be no problem in appointing Hamid as the IGP on contract," he said.

For the record, Mohamed Khalid became the director-general of Customs on a one-year contract, from June 2011 to June 2012.

The source added that Mahathir is adamant on appointing Abdul Hamid as the IGP.

"As a former Special Branch director, Mahathir viewed Hamid as the right candidate for the position due to his knowledge and experience.

"Mahathir thought that Abdul Hamid is the best person to manoeuvre the police force in maintaining peace and order amid the challenging political landscape in the country."

Due to the slight disagreement on the appointment of Abdul Hamid as the IGP, he is said to be reluctant on being appointed.

When asked to comment, Abdul Hamid told Malaysiakini: "It's hard for me to say (comment)... But I have learned that Tun will announce the successor this week after getting consent from the Yang di-Pertuan Agong.

"Whatever it is, the government knows what is best for the country," he said.

Recently, Muhyiddin had said the names of the candidates have been submitted to Mahathir several weeks ago.

Mahathir would study the names before presenting the matter to the Agong for his consent, but Muhyiddin said it is the prime minister's right to make changes.

“If he (Dr Mahathir) wants to make changes before presenting it to the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, it is his right as the prime minister. After that only will the change be made and replacement decided,” he had said.

In 2015, Abdul Hamid was transferred as the deputy chief of the police intelligence unit to the Prime Minister's Department amid a crackdown on the 1MDB investigation by the previous government.

He did not clock in at the Prime Minister's Department, and 10 days after his removal, went public and claimed he was removed for his insistence on looking into the 1MDB scandal. - Mkini