THE Malaysian Bar has backed calls for a royal commission of inquiry (RCI) to be set up to investigate Abdul Hamid Bador’s claim of an internal conspiracy to oust the inspector-general of police.

The Bar said it was concerned with Hamid’s recent claims about the existence of a cabal within the police force.

Hamid had said that some young police officers are the masterminds behind this cabal that seeks to bring him down and control the police force for its own purposes.

“Such an allegation is shocking and seriously erodes public confidence in the force. 

“The Malaysian Bar therefore calls for an urgent investigation into the IGP’s assertions through the establishment of an independent RCI in order to get to the bottom of the matter. 

“A transparent and independent investigation has to be instituted without delay to determine the veracity of the IGP’s worrying claims, and to ensure that the integrity of the police force is preserved,” said Malaysian Bar president AG Kalidas.

He added that the failure to establish an RCI would leave many unanswered questions. 

It may also give rise to an inference that there are substantive problems within the police force or that those in power have something to hide, he added. 

“The allegation made by the IGP has the unfortunate effect of casting aspersions on all members of the police force – the vast majority of whom are law-abiding and doing their utmost to protect life and property. 

“Only an RCI will help clear the air and help restore public confidence in the many men and women in the police force.”

Yesterday, a rights group, Eliminating Deaths and Abuse In Custody Together (EDICT), first made the call for the RCI to identify the cops wishing to seize control of the police force to further their own ends.

Hamid in an exclusive interview with Sinar Harian earlier this week revealed the alleged existence of the cabal in the police force involving younger police officers trying to topple him.

Following that, Home Minister Hamzah Zainuddin said he had asked the IGP to submit a full report on his allegations, and to report the matter to the Police Force Commission (SPP).

“I contacted the IGP yesterday and I wanted to have the full report and to announce this matter clearly to the public.

“People might get a wrong perception about this issue,” the minister had said. – March 20, 2021.