THE controversial research division that was a front for an intelligence agency under the previous Barisan Nasional government will not be disbanded but given new direction under a new chief, said high-placed sources.

The division, which comes under the jurisdiction of the Prime Minister’s Department, recently made headlines after investigators found it was a front for the Malaysian External Intelligence Organisation (MEIO), whose primary task was to keep an eye on government critics to ensure former prime minister Najib Razak remained in power.

“Its role will be revised. It will get new direction and a new chief. The government has cleaned the division, which was allegedly abused by the past government,” the source said.

It is understood that MEIO director-general Hasanah Ab Hamid’s contract was not renewed after it expired on June 30. 

Two top officers and a senior staff member who were allegedly involved in several controversial cases, including the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal and murder of Mongolian Altantunya Shaariibuu, were also told to leave.

Hasanah’s home in Seri Kembangan, Kuala Lumpur, was also raided by police looking for documents that Najib had allegedly handed over to him just before the 14th general election. They left empty-handed.

It was previously reported that this division had a staff strength of about 300, with half of them stationed abroad.

Both its offices in Putrajaya and Jalan Bellamy in Kuala Lumpur have been sealed off, with hundreds of documents seized after Pakatan Harapan won federal power and began looking for evidence concerning various financial scandals during the Najib administration.

MEIO handles matters concerning international relations. It had acted as a mediator in the conflict between the Thai government and Mara Patani rebels. – July 15, 2018.