By Shazwan Mustafa Kamal - The Malaysian Insider
KUALA LUMPUR, March 15 — Tan Sri Musa Hassan (picture, left) will be replaced as the Inspector-General of Police when his contract expires in September.
While refusing to disclose details, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (picture, centre) said today that a transition process was already in place, with details to be decided by the government.
“I already know who is going to replace the IGP. I already know who is going to replace the director of the commercial crime division. I already know those who will take over, so there is no need for us to speculate and report news without basis,” said Hishammuddin in Parliament today.
Last Saturday, Musa was forced to deny a report in local Chinese daily China Press that he had resigned as Inspector-General of Police.
Quoting unnamed sources, China Press had reported that Musa submitted his resignation letter to the Home Minister, Datuk Seri Hishammudin Hussein, and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
The 59-year-old Musa’s contract as IGP expires in September.
Musa also appeared to suggest that the newspaper obtained the information about his purported resignation from underworld criminal figures.
The report of his resignation came a day after suspended police Commissoner Datuk Ramli Yusoff was acquitted of three corruption charges by the Sessions Court here.
Ramli’s acquittal had sparked intense speculation surrounding his future because his relationship with Musa is understood to have been soured by events leading up to his prosecution.
A number of uncorroborated reports had also emerged on the Internet in recent years alleging the involvement of the criminal underworld in events leading to Ramli being charged for corruption.
In an interview with The Malaysian Insider which was published today, Ramli, who was the third most senior police officer until his suspension, said he would report for duty soon.
He also lashed out at being treated badly by his colleagues.
Ramli pointed out that Musa had once served directly under him for six years.
Ramli was deputy director of the CID at the time while Musa was head of prosecution.
“At one time, I treated him like my own brother. I never expected this sort of treatment.”
Ramli’s comments will have added to the speculation swirling around Musa.
Last Saturday’s China Press report had claimed Musa would retire on Police Day on March 25 and that he would be succeeded by his deputy, Tan Sri Ismail Omar.
Hishammuddin’s ministry subsequently issued a show cause letter to the newspaper under Section 8A of the Printing Presses and Publications Act 1984 (Act 301).
Under the law, action can be taken against those responsible for publishing false news including the printer, publisher, editor and the writer.
Today, the Home Minister said that representatives from China Press had been called by the ministry to provide an explanation.
He said that while the ministry will listen to their explanations, if found to be unsatisfactory, action will be taken against the newspaper.
Hishammuddin went on to clarify that the reshuffling process did not involve the IGP alone, but also other top-ranking officials within the police force.
“In this matter it does not only involve the IGP alone but four other directors out of the seven divisions of PDRM [who] will retire this year. In fact one of the directors is already on leave, three or six months prior to leaving the service.”
“So the transition is happening and this is an opportunity for us to look at a new chapter in the history of the police.”
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