Musa Hassan denies joining PAS, says no link to Anwar suit

(The Malaysian Insider) - Former Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Musa Hassan denied today speculation that he would be joining PAS or any other political party, following an apparent trend that has seen several government pensioners signing up with the Islamist opposition party this year ahead of the 13th general elections.

The rumours were false, he told Sinar Harian Online today, adding that it also had nothing to do with his decision yesterday to drop a defamation suit against Opposition Leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim over the infamous 1998 “black eye” incident and Sodomy I trial.

“That is not true,” he told the Malay newspaper when asked about the rumours circulating on the web.

“Anyway, whether PAS or Umno, nobody has come to meet me to offer membership,” Musa told Sinar Harian.

The retired police veteran was reported as saying he had never been involved nor supported any political party ever since joining the force.

But he declined to comment when asked if he would become a member of PAS if given the chance.

“I cannot speak about the future.

“For myself, I am independent and my vote is confidential if asked which party I will choose in the general elections,” the 60-year-old told the newspaper.

Musa’s name came to the fore once again recently after several Malay political news websites, including PAS-owned portal, Harakah Daily, published word that a former IGP would be joining the Islamist party over the weekend, citing an anonymous party insider as the source.

A recent trend in Malaysian politics has seen several high-ranking Muslim government pensioners, including high-ranking officers such as former secretary-generals, ex-envoys and those from the police and armed forces joining PAS after the end of their service.

Among them are former CID chief Datuk Fauzi Shaari, former Land and Cooperative Development Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Nik Zain Nik Yusof and Datuk Ramli Buyong, the deputy vice-president of Felcra Berhad.

Musa had lauded Fauzi’s move to join PAS in a previous exclusive interview with The Malaysian Insider, but said he would not make a similar move.

“After this he can teach PAS about the country’s laws and rules,” Musa said of Fauzi then, adding he had rejected overtures from a Pakatan Rakyat (PR) component party. Apart from PAS, the other component parties are PKR and DAP.

“It’s better for people like me (former IGP) not to join politics,” he told The Malaysian Insider in July.