Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun bowed out as Inspector-General of Police today, handing over the reins of the nation’s top cop to successor Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador at the Police Training Centre (Pulapol) in Kuala Lumpur.
The handing over ceremony was witnessed by Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin.
Hamid took over as acting deputy IGP last month after Noor Rashid Ibrahim retired.
He will be assuming the role of IGP under a two-year contract that takes effect tomorrow.
Bukit Aman Special Branch Deputy Director 1 Datuk Ramli Hassan, meanwhile, moves up a notch after being appointed as Acting Special Branch director.
Fuzi, who has been IGP since 2017, told the press he felt happy to have reached the end of his career with the police force.
“I have a lot of things to do after this, even though I am no longer a police officer. I am relieved after 35 years.
“I am happy for that and I would like to wish my successor Hamid Bador all the best. I am sure he will be able to carry out his duties,” said a slightly emotional Fuzi, who was seen wiping his eyes at the retirement ceremony.
“When my wife passed away, being here in the police force is what helped me; otherwise I would have drowned in my emotions.
“As long I’m alive, I will serve PDRM in my own way,” he added.
Fuzi is the 11th IGP, replacing Khalid Abu Bakar who retired in 2017.
Hamid did not give any speech nor address the press, saying that today’s event was in honour of Fuzi’s service.
A farewell ceremony will be held for Fuzi this evening.
Hamid, who turns 61 on August 7, has served in various capacities in the police force.
He was Gombak district police deputy chief, state Special Branch chief, deputy director of the Foreign Intelligence Unit (E3), deputy chief of Special Branch and Special Branch head.
Hamid was transferred to the Prime Minister’s Department in 2015 when he was the deputy director of Special Branch after he tried to caution former prime minister Najib Razak over dubious 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB) deals.
Hamid refused to take up the post as a sign of protest.
He was reinstalled and promoted as Special Branch chief soon after Pakatan Harapan took over the federal government last May.
Later, during a press conference, Muhyiddin denied issues in appointing the new deputy IGP, Special Branch chief, and Bukit Aman Narcotic Crimes Investigation Department (NCID) director.
“They will be appointed soon; it’s a matter of getting the Yang di-Pertuan Agong’s consent and the process of appointment started.
“We are following the standard operating procedure and formalities; there is no problem,” he said, when asked about the positions