INSPECTOR-GENERAL of Police Abdul Hamid Bador is ready to meet M. Indira Gandhi but it must be without the presence of a third party.

Hamid said he did not have any problem meeting the woman who is looking to reunite with her youngest child, Prasana Diksa, who was snatched by her estranged husband, Muhammad Riduan Abdullah, in 2009.

He had converted to Islam, including their three children, without her consent.

“My door is always open to her but I don’t want any third party involved in any meeting,” he told a media conference.

Last week, Indira asked why the police chief is shunning her after promising that mother and daughter will be reunited.

Hamid previously promised Indira a “happy ending” after her ex-husband forcibly took away Prasana 12 years ago.

The top cop had expressed personal interest in the case and given an assurance to Indira.

He later said police knew where Riduan Abdullah was and urged him to come forward, so as to resolve the matter amicably.

That promise was made in January, but Indira’s attempts to meet Hamid and get an update have not been entertained.

Riduan was ordered by the Ipoh High Court in March 2010 to return Prasana to Indira, who was awarded custody of all three children.

Police have been looking for Riduan, whose name was Patmanathan Krishnan before his conversion to Islam, since then.

Hamid said he is willing to meet Indira and personally explain to her the status of the case.

“I don’t want it to be politicised as this will complicate police work later.

“As I have said, efforts are ongoing to persuade Indira’s ex-husband. This shows we are working on it.”

He said police have the capacity to track Riduan’s whereabouts, whether in the country or overseas.

“How far can he go? The Philippines, Thailand, India, Pakistan? Our officers are in constant communication with him, with the assistance of third parties and a senior politician.

“I am positive, and it’s a matter of time. I don’t want to promise anything now.” – August 13, 2020.