By Yow Hong Chieh

KUALA LUMPUR, Sept 6 — Outgoing Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Musa Hassan today spoke out against what he saw as excessive interference by “third parties” in police business, naming the Home Ministry among others.

“All kinds of people interfere. People from the ministry itself, outsiders, people with vested interests like those who want to do things that are not right — they will try to interfere,” he said, pointing out that it was not a new problem.

“The ministry I mentioned is the Home Ministry, of course. Other ministries cannot give me orders,” he added, when asked to clarify. However, he refused to comment on whether Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Hussein, with whom he is rumoured to have a strained relationship, was the person responsible for the meddling.

Musa (picture) stressed that these third parties should not give orders to police subordinates without the knowledge of the senior police leadership as this sometimes stopped the force from carrying out its duties.

“If interference occurs... this is a wrong action because it is not in line with command and control,” he said.

“We don’t want others to give our officers orders that, if carried out, constitute an offence. That’s why it must be direct command and control from senior officers from the police themselves, and no outsiders to dictate what to do.”

Musa’s allegations today appear to be a repeat of comments he made about an interfering “third force” in a March interview with Mingguan Malaysia.

In it, he claimed that politicians and “certain individuals” had issued orders directly to his subordinates in contravention of section 4 of the Police Act 1957, which states that all actions and supervision falls under the IGP.

Around the same time, reports surfaced that Musa had tendered his resignation due to differences with Hishammuddin. However, Musa denied that he had handed in his quit note, and instead accused “some quarters” of wanting to remove him from his post.

Hishammuddin invariably gave fodder to the rumour mill when he said over a week later that he knew who would replace Musa, despite keeping mum on whether or not Musa’s contract would be extended.

The home minister finally ended speculation when he announced last Wednesday that current Deputy IGP Tan Sri Ismail Omar will replace Musa as the country’s new national police chief come September 13. Hishammuddin also announced that Internal Security and Public Order Director Commissioner Datuk Hussin Ismail will be the new deputy IGP.

Musa today claimed he had no idea his tenure was not going to be extended a third time, and only found out during Hishammuddin’s press conference last week.

“Nobody informed me, nobody informed me. I was only informed during the press conference,” he said.

He reminded his successor to be a good leader and ensure that everything was in line.

He also warned Ismail not to be persuaded by parties to do things that are against the law.

“Take care of the force, improve it further. Take care of the welfare of the men. Be sincere in doing your job and don’t get involved in unnecessary or negative things. For example, don’t get yourself involved with illegal activities because, at present, we are doing well in trying to curb all these illegal activities,” he said.

“If you know how to take care of yourself, I think you will survive.”

Musa also urged politicians and the public to also consider the welfare of policemen who face injury and death while fighting crime instead of focusing only on the human rights of criminals who are shot or killed by the police.

“Whenever a policeman is injured or dies while on duty, nobody cares about it. But when criminals [are] shot or injured? Wah, hue and cry,” he said.

“So why don’t you do the same for us please? Because we are protecting you, because we are protecting the public. We are the ones who are taking care of your safety. Don’t treat policemen as criminals. We are part of you, and we risk our lives for you.”

Musa, who had his contract extended twice, saw his Mr Clean reputation battered while in office and now leaves a police force largely seen as ineffective and demoralised.

Reports over Musa’s retirement came to the fore after suspended Police Commissioner Datuk Ramli Yusoff was acquitted of three corruption charges by the Sessions Court in March.

During Ramli’s trial in Kota Kinabalu, Musa was described by a Sessions Court judge as being an unreliable witness.

Ramli’s acquittal sparked intense speculation surrounding his future because his relationship with Musa was understood to have been soured by events leading up to his prosecution.

A number of uncorroborated reports had also emerged on the Internet in recent years alleging the involvement of the criminal underworld leading up to Ramli being charged with corruption.