Datuk Seri Najib Razak’s security detail was revoked as he does not currently count as a former prime minister, Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad said yesterday.
The prime minister was commenting on a social media post by Najib saying goodbye to his security detail.
“He is under investigation. So he doesn’t represent the past prime ministers.
“But if he is found innocent, he will get the same treatment as other prime ministers,” he said.
Such statements would seem to imply that the strength of Najib’s security detail is linked to the investigations currently surrounding him.
Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun said not all of Najib’s security personnel have been revoked.
He said the police will follow the standard operating procedure and provide Najib with the security detail that is usually accorded to a former prime minister.
“Former prime ministers are eligible for certain things. We will maintain his aide-de-camp, the aide-de-camp for Datin Seri Rosmah Mansor, bodyguards and drivers, but we will scale down (the number of personnel),” he told reporters.
Earlier, Najib had on his Facebook page said all his security escorts had been officially revoked except for an aide-de-camp.
“In the last few weeks, all the security personnel, police escorts and assistants assigned to me were withdrawn by the new government except for one aide-de-camp,” he said.
Najib said he bade farewell to several of the staff yesterday who included bodyguards, Special Action Unit personnel, police escorts and other staff who were either assigned to the Prime Minister’s Office or to the prime minister’s official residence.
Najib also shared photographs of their emotional parting on his Facebook page.
“It can’t be denied that they were emotional and some even cried when we said goodbye,” Najib said.
“My family and I will never forget their friendship, contribution and loyalty throughout the past nine years – including those who served us for 14 years when I was still the deputy prime minister,” he added.
“I wished them all the best and hope they will continue to serve the new government with the same dedication and loyalty as when they were with me.”
Najib also expressed hope that the new government would take care of the welfare of all the officers.
Yesterday evening at about 6.45pm, Najib and Rosmah left their home in a white Toyota Vellfire to break fast.
The convoy included three other cars, but with no police outriders.
They returned home, also with no escort in sight, at around 7.45pm.
Last November, Mahathir had also complained that the then BN government under Najib had withdrawn or replaced his bodyguards and aides.
However, the IGP clarified that Mahathir still enjoyed the special right to official protection, adding that only a few ordinary members of the security escort team had been directed to return to the unit’s base to be posted for duties elsewhere.
“Only some ordinary members have been called back for other assignments. This is a normal procedure,” Fuzi was quoted as saying.
He also said a female UTK officer is assigned to Mahathir’s wife, Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali.