Interfering With Police: Hishammuddin Dodges Musa’s Claim

KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein (pic) declined today to respond to an accusation from Tan Sri Musa Hassan that he had allegedly interfered in police business during the latter’s term as Inspector-General of Police (IGP). The Home Minister reasoned that he had yet to read Musa’s statement, which was made during a press conference earlier today, adding that he would only issue a response after verifying what the former top cop had said. “Times like this, until we get verification on what was actually said, again, I do not want to create a wrong perception of what actually happened,” he told a press conference after meeting with Kelab Umno’s overseas members on the sidelines of the Umno general assembly here. “I want to hear what actually came out from Tan Sri Musa, his statement. Let me check before I reply to that,” the Umno vice-president said. Musa dropped a bombshell at the press conference this afternoon when he named Hishammuddin as among the ministers and politicians whom he claimed would regularly interfere in police matters during his term as IGP. The former top cop described his working relationship with Hishammuddin as cordial, but the Home Minister did not see eye-to-eye with him on the command of the police force. “When I found out that instructions were given to junior officers and OCPDs (Officer in Charge of Police District) without my knowledge, then something is wrong. “So, I highlighted to him Section 4(1) of the Police Act... command and control of the police force is by the IGP, not a minister. “I talked to him nicely, he didn’t like it... that’s why (my tenure) was not extended,” Musa claimed. Musa, who retired as IGP in September 2010, even suggested that the practice still continues today and added that his refusal to indulge those who tried to interfere had likely been the reason why his tenure had not been extended. “There are certain misgivings from police officers who said that they received instructions not from (their police superiors) but from the Home Ministry. “Even the ministry can issue instructions now... Who is in control now?” Musa said today. Musa also quoted Section 4(1) of the Police Act, which states that police orders must only come from the IGP, who will be liable for such instructions. He said that command and control over the police force should rest entirely on the IGP, adding that no other individual should be accorded the same right for the sake of checks and balances in the system. Musa also took aim at his successor, Tan Sri Ismail Omar, suggesting the latter was a yes-man who bowed to politicians’ influence.