KUALA LUMPUR: Outgoing Inspector General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador will not challenge the appointment of his successor Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani as the nation's new top cop.
Responding to reports by a news portal that Acryl Sani's appointment as the 13th IGP was disputable since it was done so when the nation is still under a state of emergency, Abdul Hamid said he does not wish to be in the limelight any more and instead wants to focus on his farm following his retirement.
"No no no (I will not challenge the appointment of Acryl Sani). Enough for me. I want to run away from this limelight.
"It is not that I am sick of it or whatsoever. I need a break to do something which I love the most… which is my farm. It will provide me peace.
"It is not that I am 'chickening out' from my responsibilities to correct things," he told a press conference here today.
Parti Pejuang Tanah Airku (Pejuang) in a statement said that Section 15 of the Police Act 1967 did not allow for the retirement or resignation of police officers when the country is under a state of emergency.
Abdul Hamid added that he was unaware of Acryl Sani's appointment as the incoming IGP until the latter informed him about the matter this morning.
"I was told by Acryl Sani that he was invited to receive the appointment letter (as the next IGP) this morning, to which, I said congratulations.
"I thought it could only be done next Monday (after his last day). Who knows, someone else might have 'potong Jalan (meddle with the appointment)," Abdul Hamid said.
On who will likely fill the post as the deputy IGP following Acryl Sani's promotion, Abdul Hamid referred to the three most senior commissioners in the police force.
The trio in line are Integrity and Standards Compliance Department (JIPS) director Datuk Zamri Yahya; Bukit Aman Management Department director Datuk Ramli Din and Bukit Aman Narcotics Criminal Investigation Department (NCID) director Datuk Razarudin Husain.
"It will be among them and it is up to the Prime Minister (Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin) to decide," he said.
Abdul Hamid said he was also aware that people are rooting for Johor police chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay to become the next deputy IGP.
He revealed that Ayob Khan has been proposed to become the next Bukit Aman's Criminal Investigation Department chief.
"This is to enable him to carry on with his efforts to eradicate crimes in the country. And he has been exemplary all this while," he said.
