Political interference happened since many years ago - Musa Hassan

KUALA LUMPUR: The interference of politicians in the affairs of the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) is alleged to have taken place in the past, disrupting the team's service operations.

In fact, some politicians had tried to control the authorities by issuing instructions directly to operations officers without the knowledge of the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

According to a Mingguan Malaysia report, former IGP Tan Sri Musa Hassan claimed that the actions of certain parties to control the PDRM were still continuing to the extent it could make the institution lose its ‘teeth’.

He said that when he led the PDRM (from September 2006 to September 2010), there were politicians who ordered the release of detainees without his knowledge.

In fact, the political interference had involved operations that had disrupted the investigation process.

“During my time, there were politicians who told the police to release their 'gangs' and there were also those who gave instructions to the State Police Chief without my knowledge.

"This political meddling involves operations to the extent it can disrupt the investigation process," he said.

Earlier, outgoing IGP, Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador, called for political interference in the PDRM affairs to be stopped immediately, including replacing the Chairman of the Police Force Commission (SPP) with a disinterested person who is not a minister.

The revelation was made in Abdul Hamid's last press conference before officially retiring on May 3.