HE was the Special Branch deputy director when he was transferred out of the police force for speaking up against the 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB) scandal.

Not wanting to be placed in cold storage at the Prime Minister’s Department, Abdul Hamid Bador opted for early retirement and for the next two years, worked on his farm in Rembau, Negri Sembilan.

Today, the 61-year-old stands proud as the country’s 12th inspector-general of police, happy to be given a second chance to make things right.

Just months after he was brought back by Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad, criminal charges were levelled against former prime minister Najib Razak, his wife Rosmah Mansor, former deputy prime minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and other leaders from the previous Barisan Nasional administration.

Speaking to The Malaysian Insight, Hamid said he does not feel vindicated, just grateful at getting a second chance.

And his gratitude goes out to Dr Mahathir, who offered him that second chance.

Hamid recalled how he was summoned to meet the prime minister at his office at the Perdana Leadership Foundation after Pakatan Harapan took over Putrajaya.

“I was on my motorcycle at my farm in Rembau when I received a call from an unknown number at about 11am. I don’t usually answer calls from unknown numbers but this time I did,” he told The Malaysian Insight.

“The caller identified himself as an officer from the prime minister’s office. I was to see the PM on that day at 3pm. 

“I rushed home, changed and drove to Putrajaya.

“Tun (Dr Mahathir) asked if I could help him. He told me he was away for 15 years (from the government) and wanted my help.”

Hamid replied “yes” immediately and was appointed Special Branch director. He said that was the only position he wanted, as he was a SB officer before and felt comfortable going back to his old job.

“When I left Tun’s office that day, I saw many familiar faces from the previous administration waiting to see him. I just kept walking.”

Less than 10 days later, he received a call from the federal police headquarters in Bukit Aman and was told to sign his offer letter.

“I signed the letter on the back of a car boot near the Bukit Aman mosque. I signed and immediately left.

“Here I was, being appointed SB director two years after I had retired. It was surreal.”

Hamid rubbed the previous administration the wrong way when he and his former boss, former SB director Akhil Bulat, met Najib and spoke up against the 1MDB scandal.

“We were told that our views would be considered. For that I was transferred out.”

He refused to take up the new post but chose early retirement.

He said he no longer had the heart to work for the police after his advice fell on deaf ears.

“I no longer had the spirit to go to work, to work for the police. My legs were heavy and I decided to quit.”

But since his return to the force, Hamid said no SB personnel had been transferred out or sacked. He did not bear any grudge towards his men.

“I hold no grudges. There are no bad soldiers, only lousy generals.”

Hamid was SB director for a year before he was recently promoted as the IGP under a two-year contract. – June 13, 2019.