Transfer may be linked to call for transparent 1MDB probe, says ex-SB deputy chief
BY MUZLIZA MUSTAFA
Published: 23 August 2015 2:39 PM
Former Special Branch deputy director Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador says he believes his outspokenness over several issues, including the probe into 1MDB, had led to his transfer out of the police force. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, August 23, 2015.Former Special Branch deputy director Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador said he believed his outspokenness over several issues, including the probe into 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), had led to his transfer out of the police force.He told reporters today that his refusal to carry out certain "agendas" could also have been part of the reason.
"The rumour of my transfer had been going on for four months, that there were 'invisible powers' who did not want me to be in the Special Branch," Hamid told the media at a press conference in Kota Damansara today.
"It could be because I had asked for the investigation into 1MDB to be carried out transparently," Hamid said.
Hamid was told of his transfer to a new security division in the Prime Minister's Department on August 17.
He said two weeks before the transfer order came out, he was instructed to present himself at Bukit Aman to meet with newly appointed Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, where he was given two choices for his next posting.
"The DPM, who is also Home Minister, patted me on the back and said he had met with with the Prime Minister after Friday prayers, and I had two options of the places I could go to. It was either the National Security Council or the Prime Minister's Department," said Hamid.
He said he was shocked, but chose the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).
Hamid said he also had a discussion with Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar prior to the meeting with Zahid, where he told the top policeman of his desire to be retained in the police force.
"I was stunned and shocked. But then on August 17, I received a transfer order to take on a post as deputy director of the transnational crime division.
"It got me thinking why they needed to have this unit when we already have a counter terrorism unit and other reliable departments," Hamid said.
He said that after receiving the order, he made enquiries with PMO about the unit.
"I was told that the post was not ready and that the Public Service Department was still figuring it out."
This made him believe that the post was created and the transfer made to put in him in "cold storage", Hamid added.
He also disagreed with Khalid's statement that his transfer to the PMO was a form of recognition.
"I am sorry, IGP. You are a good boss but I don't think it's for recognition," he said.
Hamid's transfer to PMO came after the Special Branch's number one, Datuk Seri Akhil Bulat, retired on August 17. Akhil was succeeded by Datuk Seri Mohamad Fuzi Haron, who was Bukit Aman's Management Department director.
Hamid said he was unhappy with how Akhil had been treated nearing his retirement. The former director had gone on leave to visit his children studying abroad and his successor was announced during that time.
"The manner of the appointment was so insulting," he said, adding that while Akhil was not one to complain, he (Hamid) felt obliged to speak up.
"He was in the police force for about 40 years. Yes, he does not want to renew his contract but why was his service ended in such a way while he still had two weeks to go?"
Hamid denied being upset over bypassed as Akhil’s replacement. "I am not," he said. – August 23, 2015.
Certain parties helping witnesses in SRC probe hide abroad, says ex-SB man
Former Special Branch deputy director Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador (in blue shirt) sharing his thoughts and facts with the media at a breakfast meeting this morning. Hamid says he has to tell the truth about 1MDB despite the consequences. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, August 23,
2015.
Witnesses sought by anti-graft investigators in relation to a company owned by the Finance Ministry are hiding abroad with the help of certain parties, former Special Branch Department deputy director Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador said today.
He did not name them, but said one of them was among the three men being sought by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), which had yesterday issued notices for the three in its probe into SRC International Sdn Bhd.
The three men are billionaire businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, former SRC International managing director Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil and director Datuk Suboh Md Yassin.
SRC International is now owned by the Finance Ministry, but was a former subsidiary of 1MDB, a state investment firm that has amassed debts of RM42 billion.
At a breakfast session with the media this morning, Hamid said one of the three had left Malaysia two months ago for Indonesia, before going to Thailand.
"It is understood that he is now in New Zealand," Hamid said.
Hamid said the help these witnesses were receiving from certain parties showed that there was interference in the work of enforcement agencies, and he appealed to Putrajaya to stop "invisible hands" from getting involved.
"I appeal for it to be stopped. Inject some discipline in the government. There should not be interference from outsiders."
He also said he felt "disgusted" when police moved in on several MACC officers for allegedly leaking information about the 1MDB probe.
Seven MACC officers were questioned over alleged leaks of information, while a former MACC adviser and a legal officer with the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) were also arrested and questioned over information related to 1MDB.
The AGC officer, Jessica Gurmeet Kaur, has since lost her job and had her permanent residency in Malaysia revoked. Several Bank Negara officials have also been questioned.
"The law is blind and we are the enforcers. We have to understand it before we can execute it. We have to ask if the actions taken fit the purpose. Why must we detain them? They were not terrorists," Hamid said, referring to the arrests and questioning of the MACC officers.
Civil servants, he added, should be given the freedom to enforce instructions received so that orders could be carried out truthfully.
"There are many who are dedicated and have integrity who want to do their work responsibly.
"Why must they be threatened?"
Hamid also said he was cautioned against meeting the press to talk about such issues, but insisted he was ready to face the consequences.
"I am aware that they might take a disciplinary action against me. I might end up with RM1 salary. It does not matter. If I am not sticking out my head to voice all this, who else will.
"I am not here for monetary gains. I am not seeking financial aid or power or high post in the government. This has never been my aim nor ambition."
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar had also advised him not to proceed with today's press conference, Hamid added.
"He called me once. He said it kindly. He did not warn me. He just advised me not to go on because disciplinary action could be taken against me. But I told him that I have to go. I don't want to wait until the country burns to the ground.” – August 23, 2015.-
He did not name them, but said one of them was among the three men being sought by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC), which had yesterday issued notices for the three in its probe into SRC International Sdn Bhd.
The three men are billionaire businessman Low Taek Jho, better known as Jho Low, former SRC International managing director Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil and director Datuk Suboh Md Yassin.
SRC International is now owned by the Finance Ministry, but was a former subsidiary of 1MDB, a state investment firm that has amassed debts of RM42 billion.
At a breakfast session with the media this morning, Hamid said one of the three had left Malaysia two months ago for Indonesia, before going to Thailand.
"It is understood that he is now in New Zealand," Hamid said.
Hamid said the help these witnesses were receiving from certain parties showed that there was interference in the work of enforcement agencies, and he appealed to Putrajaya to stop "invisible hands" from getting involved.
"I appeal for it to be stopped. Inject some discipline in the government. There should not be interference from outsiders."
He also said he felt "disgusted" when police moved in on several MACC officers for allegedly leaking information about the 1MDB probe.
Seven MACC officers were questioned over alleged leaks of information, while a former MACC adviser and a legal officer with the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) were also arrested and questioned over information related to 1MDB.
The AGC officer, Jessica Gurmeet Kaur, has since lost her job and had her permanent residency in Malaysia revoked. Several Bank Negara officials have also been questioned.
"The law is blind and we are the enforcers. We have to understand it before we can execute it. We have to ask if the actions taken fit the purpose. Why must we detain them? They were not terrorists," Hamid said, referring to the arrests and questioning of the MACC officers.
Civil servants, he added, should be given the freedom to enforce instructions received so that orders could be carried out truthfully.
"There are many who are dedicated and have integrity who want to do their work responsibly.
"Why must they be threatened?"
Hamid also said he was cautioned against meeting the press to talk about such issues, but insisted he was ready to face the consequences.
"I am aware that they might take a disciplinary action against me. I might end up with RM1 salary. It does not matter. If I am not sticking out my head to voice all this, who else will.
"I am not here for monetary gains. I am not seeking financial aid or power or high post in the government. This has never been my aim nor ambition."
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar had also advised him not to proceed with today's press conference, Hamid added.
"He called me once. He said it kindly. He did not warn me. He just advised me not to go on because disciplinary action could be taken against me. But I told him that I have to go. I don't want to wait until the country burns to the ground.” – August 23, 2015.-
Ex-SB man admits being told to persuade Dr Mahathir from criticising Najib
Speaking to reporters at a breakfast meeting this morning, former Special Branch deputy director Abdul Hamid Bador (right) admits to meeting former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad under instructions from his superior officer. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, August 23, 2015.
Former Bukit Aman Special Branch deputy director Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador has admitted today that he had held meetings with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to get his views on national issues and 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
He said the meetings, also meant to persuade the former prime minister from openly attacking Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, were conducted over the span of three years under the instruction of then Special Branch director Datuk Seri Akhil Bulat.
"I met him (Dr Mahathir) four times over the past three years... to get his opinion on national issues as well as on 1MDB.
Former Bukit Aman Special Branch deputy director Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador has admitted today that he had held meetings with Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad to get his views on national issues and 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
He said the meetings, also meant to persuade the former prime minister from openly attacking Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak, were conducted over the span of three years under the instruction of then Special Branch director Datuk Seri Akhil Bulat.
"I met him (Dr Mahathir) four times over the past three years... to get his opinion on national issues as well as on 1MDB.
"I also met him to advise him not to attack Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak openly which he initially agreed," said Abdul Hamid. – August 23, 2015.
Special Branch told Putrajaya to explain 1MDB since 2013, ex deputy chief says
BY MUZLIZA MUSTAFA
Published: 23 August 2015 12:53 PM
Former Special Branch deputy director of police Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador says for 2 years, the police had advised the government to provide clear answers about 1MDB's alleged scandals. – The Malaysian Insider pic by Nazir Sufari, August 23, 2015.Putrajaya thought it could explain issues surrounding its debt-ridden 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB), but has failed to convince the people, former Special Branch deputy director Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador said today.
He said the police's intelligence unit had advised the government to provide clear answers about 1MDB's alleged scandals for the last two years, but had been told that Putrajaya knew how to handle the matter.
"We had foreseen it coming and we advised Putrajaya that the issue could be big," he said in a breakfast session with the media this morning.
"They thought that they could explain it, but unfortunately...," Hamid said.
1MDB was not a national threat, he added, but temperatures were rising.
"People want answers. It's a straight forward explanation, but if you say it's a tricky issue, then split it into several parts. Pick a right platform and explain," he said.
Hamid said the Special Branch had no power to decide on who would become prime minister and was only tasked with protecting the country.
"For the past 63 years it has gathered intelligence, dissected the information and reported it to the prime minister. We advise the prime minister on what is happening on the ground. The information is delivered to the policy makers and the top leadership in the form of suggestions, advice and reports," he said.
He urged the national leadership to "open their eyes and ears" and discard their "denial syndrome".
"The people are confused, stressed and angry over what has happened. 1MDB is confusing; come forward and explain. What is 1MDB? Where did the money go? Explain," Hamid said.
Instead, Putrajaya had people giving contradictory statements and incomplete answers.
Hamid also touched on moves that appeared to "change the goal posts" in the 1MDB probe, mentioning the Auditor-General and Public Accounts Committee's (PAC) now-suspended inquiry after a cabinet reshuffle which promoted four of its members into the cabinet.
"Don't say wait until the task force finishes, then keep changing the goal posts and delaying (the probe).
"Is it hard for the PAC, for the Auditor General to explain? If it is taking a long time, explain the parts which have been completed first," he said.
Putrajaya has been hard pressed to explain issues surrounding 1MDB, with criticism led by former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad and several opposition MPs, who have accused the government and the state investment firm of not answering transparently questions about its RM42 billion debts, overpriced purchases of power assets, and alleged involvement of businessman Low Taek Jho. – August 23, 2015-
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