By Anthony Loke
I KNEW the outgoing Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador since the time he was serving as the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) Special Branch deputy director.
In 2018, I was serving as Transport Minister. One fine day, his office contacted my bodyguard, who was also a police officer, requesting for a meeting.
We met up at a nasi kandar outlet in KL Sentral. Hamid wanted to see me as he sought my cooperation to tighten the entry and departure points at the Subang airport, particularly for private jets.
I cooperated with Hamid and instructed the Malaysia Airports Holdings Berhad (MAHB) to tighten the said areas, as requested by the IGP, and informed them that even vehicles ferrying VIPs to their private jets must be checked thoroughly.
Later on, I had many meetings with Hamid, including a courtesy visit to his office and other official functions. As the IGP, he was very supportive of me and the Transport Ministry, particularly on issues related to road safety.
Honestly, I was impressed by his courage and non-nonsense approach as the nation’s top cop. In my view, Hamid’s departure at this juncture is a great loss to Malaysia.
And I admire him for being vocal on the issues plaguing PDRM at a press conference recently. It was definitely something unprecedented.
If my knowledge serves me right, no past IGP has ever called out a Home Minister without mincing his words, particularly in accusing the latter of meddling in police affairs.
We should not take these accusations lightly. It came from the number one officer of PDRM. It carries a lot of weight and cannot be swept under the carpet.
To restore PDRM to its original glory, I also join the chorus for the formation of a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to investigate Hamid’s expose. This is the right thing to do.
As for Hamid, happy retirement and I salute you. Your contributions to Malaysia will be remembered forever. – May 2, 2021.
Anthony Loke is a former Transport Minister and MP for Seremban.
The views expressed are solely of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Focus Malaysia.
