Ex-Special Branch No. 2 to reveal more details on ‘current issues’

Former Special Branch deputy director Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador says he is not afraid of consequences of speaking out about issues surrounding 1MDB. – PDRM pic, August 22, 2015.

Former Special Branch deputy director Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador has promised to reveal more about "current issues" and says he is not afraid of action being taken against him.

Hamid said he was still on government payroll and acknowledged that he could face repercussions for speaking up, but added that his loyalty was to the country and religion.

"Insyallah, I will stand by my promise to expose things pertaining to current issues. My allegiance is with my country and my God. If I were to die while protecting these two, then I am content," he told The Malaysian Insider.

"They can take action against me but not against 30 million Malaysians," he added.

Hamid was coy when asked what issues he would raise.

Hamid, who built his career with the police's intelligence unit, Special Branch, was recently transferred to the Prime Minister's Department to take on the post of deputy director of the transnational crime division reporting directly to Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak.

He had earlier been angry at the sudden transfer and still has up till September 17 to decide whether to accept the post or not. 

The transfer followed other moves in law enforcement agencies amid a probe into 1Malaysia Development Bhd (1MDB).

Two Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC) officers were moved out for allegedly leaking information on the agency’s 1MDB probe and on the emergence of a purported draft of the charge sheet framing a corruption charge against Najib that was published by website Sarawak Report last month.

Following outcry over the transfers, the two were reinstated to their posts.

Hamid yesterday spoke of a secret group whom he accused of trying to bury cases involving misuse of power in government departments, and prevent more issues from coming to light.

He called the group "Gang Hang Tuah", named after the Malay warrior during the Malacca sultanate who was famous for his loyalty.

Hamid had mentioned this group in an interview with Malaysiakini when explaining whom he thought were behind a fake WhatsApp message claiming that he would lodge a report against former prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad, which he denied.

Putrajaya has been accused of covering up the 1MDB investigations after Najib reshuffled his Cabinet on July 28, dropping ministers critical of his handling of the debt-ridden firm.

The reshuffle also promoted into the administration four lawmakers who were members of Parliament's Public Accounts Committee that was probing into 1MDB, effectively halting its inquiry.

The Attorney-General was also changed in the midst of the investigation into 1MDB, followed by the disbanding of the special task force that was leading the probe.

At the same time, seven MACC officers were questioned over alleged leaks of information, while a former MACC adviser and a legal officer with the Attorney-General's Chambers (AGC) were also arrested and questioned over information related to 1MDB.

The AGC officer, Jessica Gurmeet Kaur, has since lost her job and had her permanent residency in Malaysia revoked.

Several Bank Negara officials have also been questioned.

Hamid's transfer has been described as "normal" by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar, who denied claims of a purge in Special Branch.

- TMI