HAMID STROVE TO END CORRUPTION
As IGP, he did not hesitate to take action against errant personnel in the police force
“IDON’T intend to overstay one’s welcome… every beginning has an end,” said InspectorGeneral of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador.
The outgoing top cop will hand over the post to his successor, Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani, who is currently deputy IGP, today.
If there was anything he was not able to do during his two years of helming the Royal Malaysia Police, Hamid said it was not being able to visit Sabah and Sarawak to solve the problems facing the Sang Saka Biru team in the two states.
“I have nothing to regret, but it has been my intention to go there (Sabah and Sarawak) because there are so many issues there that cannot be resolved such as gambling and the border problems.
“I was not able to go to Sabah and Sarawak because of Covid19.”
He said something drastic had to be done in Sarawak, and expressed hope that the new police leadership would pay attention to issues of integrity, smuggling, online gambling and vice activities there.
Hamid was appointed the IGP on May 4, 2019 and his contract ends today. As the 12th IGP, Hamid strove to restore the dignity of the force and eliminate corruption among his men.
“It pains me to see one by one of my men being brought to court (for corruption),” he said.
As an IGP, he did not hesitate to reprimand his police personnel on integrity issues, as well as those involved in abuse of power, misconduct and other criminal activities.
His outspokenness in exposing the cartels in the force, however, was condemned and criticised by some quarters. These included members of the police force themselves, as well as politicians, who were unhappy with his actions.
Among the major successes of the police force during Hamid’s leadership were the crippling of a drug-smuggling syndicate in Penang, which led to the seizure of drugs worth RM2.4 billion, a Macau Scam syndicate and online gambling, which exposed the involvement of some police personnel.
Action was taken against 31 police personnel who were found to have colluded with the Macau Scam syndicate and were involved in online gambling with some being dismissed, demoted or transferred to non-sensitive positions.
With Hamid leaving the force, the task of restoring the integrity and dignity of the Sang Saka Biru team lies on the shoulders of Acryl Sani, who will take over as the 13th IGP, effective tomorrow.