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Wednesday 1 September 2010

IGP sidesteps contract extension talk

 

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 1 — Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan today refused to comment on whether his service contract has been renewed, despite the fact that it ends this month.

Musa claimed today that he was not in a position to answer the question, amid growing uncertainty over his tenure.

“As I’ve said before, I cannot answer the question. You know I cannot answer the question, so please don’t ask me that question,” Musa told reporters today.

Musa appeared visibly annoyed when asked if he will still be IGP after this month.

Speculation has been rife about Musa’s impending retirement in recent months, with even Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein unable to verify whether Musa would be replaced as the country’s top policeman.

Musa, 59, reached retirement age in 2007 but had his tenure extended twice, with the latest extension scheduled to expire this month.

Hishammuddin said last month that an announcement would only be made when it was necessary.

“It is not the right time to talk about it. It can be very soon or earlier. When the time comes we will make an appropriate announcement,” the minister had said then.

Pakatan Rakyat (PR) lawmakers have demanded that Musa step down as IGP, claiming that crime and corruption have escalated under his watch.

Reports over Musa’s retirement came into the forefront after suspended Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Yusoff was acquitted of three corruption charges by the Sessions Court in March.

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 leading up to Ramli being charged with corruption.

Ramli, who was the nation’s third-most senior police officer until his suspension, confirmed that he would report for duty soon and lashed out at being treated badly by his colleagues.

He also pointed out that Musa had once served directly under him for six years as the head of prosecution, when he was deputy director of the CID. - The Malaysian Insider

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