Khalid upbeat on transforming police force

The New Straits Times

KUALA LUMPUR: Newly appointed Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar knows that he has his work cut out for him.

"It is not an easy task to lead the police force and I am aware of the massive responsibility which has been given to me. I will perform my duties to the best of my abilities," said the 56-year-old Khalid.

"I am also aware of the public's perception and expectations of the force.

"These are going to be 'exciting' times and my men and I are up for it."

In his text message to the New Straits Times, the new IGP also thanked Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak and the government for the trust they have in him for ensuring the safety of the country.

Khalid's deputy is the former Criminal Investigation Department (CID) director Datuk Seri Bakri Zinin.

"It came as a surprise to me as I was on my way back to Kuala Lumpur from Penang.

"But I will fulfil my duties to the best of my abilities to see that the transformation of the police force is in line with the rakyat's expectations," said Bakri while declining to comment further.

Khalid from Seremban, passed out as an inspector at the Police Training Centre on Dec 5, 1976. In 1997, he was appointed head of the Kedah narcotics department.

Six years later, he was made the management department head in Pahang before being appointed as the Kuantan police chief. In 2005, he was appointed Negri Sembilan police chief and then as Bukit Aman CID deputy director before being appointed Selangor police chief in June 2007.

On Oct 13, 2010, he was appointed Federal Internal Security and Public Order Department director and shortly, as deputy Inspector-General of Police.

Bakri, 59, from Penampang, Sabah holds a Diploma in Police Science from Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia (UKM) and joined the police force on Nov 6, 1975 as a probationary inspector.

He had served as the deputy district police chief of Kota Kinabalu and Seremban and the district police chief of Kudat, Sandakan, Lahad Datu, Cheras and Dang Wangi.

Bakri was then appointed as principal assistant director of the Crime Intelligence Unit (D4), CID, before heading the Sabah CID in 2003 and in 2005 and as Sabah police commissioner.

In 2006, he was appointed deputy director (Intelligence/Operation) of the Bukit Aman narcotics department and then promoted as the department director. In 2008, he was appointed as the CID director.

Malaysia Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) vice-chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye congratulated Khalid on his appointment.

He said Khalid was the right person for the job and that MCPF was looking forward to working with him.

He hoped Khalid would continue the good work by Ismail in reducing crime in the country and winning the public's confidence.