Amar Singh calls it a day
Central figure in 1MDB probe to step down after 35 years
KUALA LUMPUR: Despite serving the force for 35 years, Comm Datuk Seri Amar Singh insists that he has never worked a day in his life.
The central figure heading police investigations into the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) retired yesterday, saying that his passion for the job did not feel like work at all.
“If you are doing something you love, you never work a day in your life.
“Thankfully, it has happened to me,” he said after handing over the duty of Bukit Aman Commercial Crimes Investigation Department (CCID) director to Deputy Comm Datuk Saiful Azly Kamaruddin, who assumed the post on an acting capacity.
The third generation policeman, whose father and grandfather were both cops, said his family loved the police force.
“Since young, all I’ve ever known and all I’ve ever wanted was to become a policeman.
“When my grandfather passed away, all other family members took several things as keepsakes – from the TV to furniture.
“I took the lesung, as it had my grandfather’s authority number – PC2023 – engraved upon it,” he recounted.
Even his family was known as family 1610 when they were living in Ipoh, as his father’s authority number was Kpl 1610, said Comm Amar, 60.
“If I have a chance to live my life all over again, I would still choose to be a police officer. I am blessed for the life that I have lived, I would not change it for anything,” he said.
His first day on the job was on Feb 27, 1983. While there were many challenging cases, Comm Amar admitted that the biggest he handled was the 1MDB investigation.
“From the moment I went to Bangkok to interview Xavier Justo; I never thought it was just a tip of the iceberg of an even bigger case.
“During the recent raids connected to 1MDB, my officers and I didn’t sleep for over two days – but we never complained,” he said.
Asked on his plans after retirement, Comm Amar said he would focus on his other passion. He loves riding motorcycles.
“I have taken part in several riding expeditions, so I believe I will do more now,” he said with a big grin.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun, who witnessed the handing over ceremony, said Comm Amar was not just a colleague but also a comrade.
“Throughout his career, he handled high profile cases with distinction.
“The ones that stood out the most has to be how he expertly handled the fire at the tahfiz centre last year and of course, all the 1MDB raids and seizures,” he said.
The country’s top cop said Comm Amar was “the very personification of someone carrying out his duty without fear of favour”.
“He is a very valuable asset to the police force. It is my honour to have served with him,” he said.
The IGP said he was confident that DCP Saiful Azly would carry the mantle as acting CCID director to the best of his ability.
“The department is in good hands,” he said.
Later in the afternoon, Comm Amar was also accorded a grand send-off by Bukit Aman top guns as well as the rank and file to mark his 35 years of long service.