THE Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) should investigate recent cases of political corruption, as politicians were “jumping here and there” rampantly, outgoing Inspector-General of Police Abdul Hamid Bador said.

He said corruption had to be involved when politicians were switching parties freely, and added that it was becoming more prevalent because some politicians were “power crazy”.

“Think about it. (They are) power crazy… until they are willing to do things like buying this person over here, or making threats over there.

“This is called corruption. Have some self-respect,” Hamid said in his last press conference at Bukit Aman today ahead of his retirement on Monday.

Hamid, whose appointment as IGP in 2018 was under the Pakatan Harapan government, said he had strived to improve the integrity of the police force during his tenure and was now disappointed to see corruption among politicians.

“I’ve told MACC they should step in and take action. Don’t be afraid.

“It’s sickening. Malaysians are fed up seeing frogs (politicians) jumping all over. What is that? What is the cause of it? It is corruption. 

“I’ve asked the MACC to investigate how can there be frogs here and there. It makes the public feel uneasy,” Hamid said.

Left unchecked, he said political corruption would create the impression that Malaysia had no laws.

He also took aim at politicians who have condemned the police force when such critics themselves had no integrity.

Hamid did not name names but mentioned that there had been politicians who used private airplanes to fly to Sabah, and thereafter came news of other politicians who quit their parties.

His reference to Sabah alludes to the defection of several elected state reps who quit the Warisan government in July last year, leading to then Sabah chief minister Mohd Shafie Apdal to seek a dissolution of the state legislative assembly, paving the way for state elections last September.

Police should not become a tool of politicians, Hamid added. 

“I do not want the force to be used to carry out dirty work to intimidate people. I did not allow it during my time (as IGP), and there are only three days left for me. 

“If this still happens after this, I don’t know,” he said.

His parting message to the force is to be fair to all people, regardless of race and religion, class and background, including political affiliation.

Hamid, 62, will be replaced by his deputy Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani effective Tuesday. 

In Putrajaya earlier today, Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin handed over the letter of appointment to Acryl, who will become the country’s 13th IGP.

Asked to comment on his successor, Hamid said Acryl was qualified as he was the most senior police officer, and urged all parties to give the new IGP the due respect and space to lead the police force. – April 30, 2021.