PUTRAJAYA: Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador has been confirmed as the next Inspector-General of Police replacing Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun, whose contract expires in May.
Prime Minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said he believed the appointment letter had already been signed by the Yang Di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri'ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
"Yes, I think he is (the new IGP). I think the Agong has already signed (the appointment letter)," Dr Mahathir said when met at the Putrajaya International Convention Centre, where earlier he delivered a speech in conjunction with Labour Day.
In February, sources claimed that the Abdul Hamid, the former federal police Special Branch director and a 40-year veteran of the force, is among the frontrunners to replace current IGP.
In March, Abdul Hamid was made Deputy IGP to replace Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim.
Abdul Hamid made the headlines a few years ago when he was transferred out from Bukit Aman to the Prime Minister’s Department in 2015, at the height of the investigations into the 1Malaysia Development Bhd scandal, during the previous administration.
His removal from Bukit Aman came about the same time when then attorney-general Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail was ejected.
The New Straits Times had reported that while Hamid’s transfer was never formally explained, it was believed to be over his vocal criticism of the previous government’s handling of the 1MDB issue.
Hamid, 58, returned to the force in May last year following the 14th General Election.