CCID director Amar retires
KUALA LUMPUR: Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Datuk Seri Amar Singh, dubbed Malaysia’s most popular Sikh, retired yesterday.
He has been in the force for 35 years, but his rise to social media fame came only this year when he was tasked with the 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) case.
His achievements include solving the Darul Quran Ittifaqiyah tahfiz arson case in two days while he was Kuala Lumpur police chief. The fire claimed 23 lives.
The 60-year-old is the first senior-ranking Sikh police officer to be appointed CCID director, a post he assumed on Oct 12 last year.
Amar was up for mandatory retirement on June 6, but the Police Commission extended his contract following his involvement in the 1MDB investigation.
CCID deputy director Datuk Saiful Azly Kamaruddin will assume Amar’s role temporarily.
The handing over of duties ceremony was held yesterday at the Kuala Lumpur Police Training Centre, witnessed by InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun.
In his speech, Amar thanked the police leadership for trusting him to hold various positions in his 35 years of service.
“I am thankful to the IGP, deputy IGP and the directors for the trust they have given me in executing my duties.
“I love my job as a police officer, and when we like what we do, we will not look at it as a boring or tedious chore. On the contrary, it is something we enjoy.
“It becomes a satisfaction when we can complete tasks to the best of our abilities.”
Born on June 6, 1958, in Kinta, Perak, Amar joined the force on Feb 27, 1983, as an assistant cadet.
He has a Bachelor of Science from Universiti Malaya (UM), a law degree from University of Buckingham and a Certificate in Legal Practice from the Legal Profession Qualifying Board.
He has a degree in Criminal Justice from UM and a Diploma in Syariah Law and Legal Practice from the International Islamic University of Malaysia.