EAIC finds no evidence for ex-IGP's 'police cartel' claim

 

The Enforcement Agency Integrity Commission (EAIC) has found no evidence of a ‘cartel’ among police ranks as alleged by former inspector-general of police Abdul Hamid Bador.

EAIC chairperson Sidek Hassan said this in a statement today after concluding the commission’s investigations. He said the cartel’s existence could not be confirmed from the witness testimonies and documents that the EAIC had obtained.

“The EAIC investigation found basis that there were police officers involved in criminal syndicate activities, of which there were investigations conducted by the MACC and police on these officers.

“However, Abdul Hamid 's claim that the officers were able to shuffle posts in the police to control the force for their personal gain could not be verified,” he said.

At his final press conference in March last year, then IGP Hamid alleged the existence of a “cartel” in the police force, whose ambition is to dominate the force for their own personal interests.

He said this group, which included high-ranking officers with connections to crime syndicates, had also purportedly conspired to get rid of him as the IGP.

Hamid also alleged the cartel members include younger police personnel who colluded in attempts to remove him as part of a bigger plan to control the force for their personal benefits.

Tamper-resistant process

Meanwhile, Sidek said the evidence obtained by the EAIC showed that appointments, promotions, and shuffling practised within the police force and police commission involved a thorough process that was difficult to interfere with.

He added that the IGP must pre-approve any proposed appointment, promotion or transfer of a senior police officer from the force to the commission as they are permanent members of the commission.

“Hamid’s position as IGP cannot be challenged because the appointment of IGP is based on the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong and on the advice of the prime minister,” he added.

The findings of the investigation were also submitted to Chief Secretary to the Government Mohd Zuki Ali.

Hamid’s revelation had sparked widespread reaction, including from among opposition politicians, Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin, as well as the Bar Council, which called for a Royal Commission of Inquiry.

Hamid's replacement, current IGP Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, announced in May last year that the EAIC was probing the allegations. However, the EAIC had provided no updates on the matter during this duration.

In November 2021, Home Minister Hamzah Zainudin said several individuals were called to give their statement on the matter despite previously saying that there was no cartel movement.

“The internal investigation found there was no such issue, but I was not satisfied, so I called the EAIC to continue the probe,” he had said. - Mkini