Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani has been appointed as the new Inspector-General of Police, which will take effect on May 4.
Acryl replaces Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador, who is set to retire when his contract expires on May 3, after serving two years as police chief.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainuddin today presented Acryl with his letter of appointment as the new IGP at the Home Ministry’s headquarters.
Acryl, who hails from Petaling Jaya, Selangor, began his career with the police back in 1986 as a cadet Assistant Superintendent
The 59-year-old has held numerous positions and helmed several departments in Bukit Aman, including the Commercial Crime Investigation Department, the Strategic Resources and Technology Department (StaRT) as well as the Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department.
He holds a degree in Civil Engineering and a Master of Science in Management from Universiti Utara Malaysia.
He was appointed as Deputy Inspector-General of Police on August 14, 2020.
Before becoming deputy, Acryl was the Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order director.
Hamzah said Acryl’s appointment was agreed upon by both Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Hamid.
At present, Acryl’s time as IGP is set to expire when he retires on Oct 3 this year.
The incoming IGP was hit by backlash recently after he said at a press conference that a rape threat against a teenager “may be a joke” which the victim could not accept.
Bukit Aman later clarified that it took rape threats seriously and the “may be a joke” remark was an aspect of police investigations.
Malaysiakini had sighted the police report by 17-year-old Ain Husniza Saiful Nizam, in which she expressed her fears over what she described as a threat. The police report did not mention any possibility that it was a joke.
Hamzah in his remarks on Acryl’s appointment, urged social media users not to create ill-feelings between the public and police.