IGP replacement 'nothing controversial' - Saifuddin

 

A police officer or civil servant who is appointed on contract can be terminated or have the service shortened at any time, said Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.

In this regard, he said the replacement of former inspection-general of police (IGP) Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani with his deputy Razarudin Husain was a normal process.

“Nothing controversial, don’t read beyond that. I have earlier had an audience with the Yang di-Pertuan Agong, later followed by the prime minister, and the matter proceeded smoothly.

“I have also spoken to Acryl Sani… and tomorrow (today) we will conduct the handover of duty ceremony at the Kuala Lumpur Police Training Centre (Pulapol), so there is nothing controversial,” Saifuddin (above) said in an exclusive media editor session with the home minister at the Home Ministry Complex in Putrajaya yesterday.

He was commenting on the appointment of Razarudin as the new IGP to replace Acryl Sani, effective June 23, as announced by him in a statement yesterday.

Acryl Sani was earlier appointed as IGP on a contractual basis for two years as he had retired, effective from Oct 4, 2021, which should end on Oct 4 this year.

Saifuddin clarified that on principle, police officers with the rank of commissioner of police are eligible to be appointed for the post of IGP or deputy IGP.

“The police have 25 officers with the rank of commissioner. They are the pool of talent to hold these two posts. Currently, they are occupying positions in Bukit Aman departments or as state police chief or in the Special Branch.

“Currently, we have 47 officers with the rank of deputy commissioner of police and this is the talent of police officers that will be involved if there is a vacancy for the position,” he said.

He said they will be evaluated based on several criteria including integrity, a good understanding of public security and order, in addition to experience and academic qualifications.

Meanwhile, he also expressed his appreciation to Acryl Sani for the services he provided during his tenure as IGP.

“I am comfortable with the level of cooperation with him, he is very conducive, it is not difficult to work with him who manages a lot of matters on peace and public order professionally as long as the police force is under his leadership,” he said.

- Bernama