'No tension between IGP and me'

By Rahmah Ghazali (Free Malaysia Today)

FULL REPORT KUALA LUMPUR: Home Minister Hishammuddin Tun Hussein today dismissed claims that there is tension between him and Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan.

"Even if there is a third force (meddling in police affairs), it would not affect our main agenda to reduce the crime rate,” he said in response to a question by Anthony Loke (DAP-Rasah) in Parliament.

Yesterday, FMT reported that there is speculation that ties have soured between the duo after the minister claimed to be in the dark about Musa's revelation that a third party was interfering in police operations.

Hishammuddin said the IGP, who made the disclosure in an interview with Mingguan Malaysia, did not raise the matter with him.

“If there is a third force who has the power to influence the police, inform me,” he told reporters yesterday.

When quizzed on this oustide the Dewan Rakyat this afternoon, Hishammuddin reiterated that he has no problems with Musa.

"If there is a problem between us, how do you explain the reduction of crime in the country?” he asked.

Earlier, Loke said that Hishammuddin's statement was an "indirect admission" that there is indeed a problem with the IGP and the minister.

"If not, why is there a need to communicate through the media? Clearly, there is problem between them," he said.

Musa too refused to entertain questions on the third party issue during a press conference on Police Day celebrations at the Bukit Aman federal police headquarters this morning.

"This press conference is only about Police Day," he said curtly.

PM should intervene

At a separate press conference, Lim Kit Siang (DAP-Ipoh Timor) urged the prime minister to resolve the matter.

"There is a crack at the highest level of leadership of national security. I call upon the prime minister to end this unseemingly and ugly public spectacle.

"Something is very wrong...the prime minister seems to be losing control of this part of his government," he said.

The DAP veteran also questioned Musa's move to resort to Mingguan Malaysia to reveal that there is the presence of a third party, which has everyone speculating on the matter.

"Could the (third force) mean Pakatan Rakyat policitians - (opposition leader) Anwar Ibrahim, (PAS president) Abdul Hadi Awang or myself. I don't think we have such powers.

"He is talking about directives to officers under him without the knowledge of the top management of the police force.

"If he is talking about politicians, he could only mean the Home Ministry. This is very serious. If he doesn't mean Hishammuddin then he must clarify," he said.

Lim stressed that this controversy must not be allowed to continue.

"It should be ended immediately with the resignation of the IGP and the stepping down of Hishammuddin," he said.