Patriot demand Home Minister be sacked for allegedly insulting, insolence and disregarding the statutory functions of the police force.
The National Patriots Association (Patriot) has demanded Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin be axed from the Perikatan Nasional (PN) Cabinet.
The call made by Patriot follows Hamzah’s actions for allegedly insulting, insolence and disregarding the statutory functions of the police force.
Its president Brig Gen (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji in a statement today cited the leaked audio clip that featured Hamzah discussing appointments with top police officers as the reason for their demand.
“Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin must fire Hamzah for his insult, insolence and disregard for statutory functions of the police force.
“Retaining him gives the impression that ministers in the PN government are free to act above the law with total disregard to principles and conventions of good governance.
“It also means that the PN government is not serious to root out corruption,” he said.
It was reported yesterday that Hamzah had admitted that he was the person featured in the audio clip, in which he was heard as allegedly discussing the appointments of ‘orang kita’ (people aligned to his camp) as senior police officers.
In his defence, Hamzah had said that he had not committed any wrongdoing and turned the tables on the people who taped the conversation, which he disclosed took place last year.
Arshad, however, said Hamzah’s comments were highly obnoxious and he must be censured.
On Hamzah’s comments that senior police officers were within his purview as the chairman of Police Commission, Arshad reminded him that although Article 140 of the Constitution gives chairmanship to the home minister, it does not mean he has absolute power to make decisions on promotions and appointments.
Top Umno Youth leaders, meanwhile, are expected to file Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) reports over elements of corruption involving politicians switching camps.
This follows the call made by outgoing Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador during his final press conference, urging MACC to investigate such despicable acts that marred the country’s political landscape.
Umno Youth chief Datuk Dr Asyraf Wajdi Dusuki urged the MACC to investigate such allegations and take the necessary actions immediately.
The allegations by Hamid, said Asyraf, should be viewed seriously since it confirmed the general perception of the PN government over activities of buying over Members of Parliament from the opposing fold in order to remain in power.
“Such corrupt practices in order to get politicians to switch camps have existed during the (previous) Pakatan Harapan (PH) administration through the act of threatening with court cases and allegations of evading tax payment as well as offering rewards in order for them to join Parti Pribumi Malaysia Bersatu (Bersatu).
Meanwhile, Pejuang joined Patriot in calling for a thorough investigation into the inspector-general of police’s claim that Hamzah had interfered in police matters, as calls for action to be taken over Abdul Hamid Bador’s explosive claims increase.
The party’s lawyer, Mior Nor Haidir Suhaimi, said the government should consider setting up a Royal Commission of Inquiry (RCI) to address this issue raised by the outgoing inspector-general of police.
“And throughout the probe, Hamzah Zainudin should be suspended from duties to prevent any interference,” he said in a statement.