One day after denying a newspaper report that Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan has resigned from his post, Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein today revealed that the former will indeed be replaced.

hishammuddin hussien Speaking to reporters at the Parliament lobby today, Hishammuddin said that this was part of a reshuffle of police top brass.

“I already know who is going to replace the IGP, I already know who is going to replace the director of the commercial crime division. I already know those who will take over, so there is no need for us to speculate and reports news without basis,” he said.

Interest over Musa's tenure stems from the many controversies surrounding Musa. He is the pet peeve of opposition parties who accuse him of consorting with Barisan Nasional to harass dissidents.

He has also been implicated of allegedly fabricating evidence along with Attorney-General Abdul Gani Pail in the infamous Anwar Ibrahim 'black-eye' incident.

More recently, he was accused of having a hand in the apparent power struggle within the police force which eventually led to the suspension of then Commercial Crimes Investigation Department director Ramli Yusoff.

No pressure to reshuffle

Referring to media reports on Musa's resignation and public pressure for Musa to step down, Hishammuddin was adamant that any change in the police leadership would be decided by the government.

"I admit, the reshuffling process is happening, but the time and place of the transition will be decided not from pressure from the media, but by the government and national leadership."

musa hassan police chief igp He also said that any transition is not only about one individual but will involve the force in total, revealing that four other directors of police divisions would be retiring this year.

 

Hishammuddin called the transition “an opportunity to look at a new chapter in the history of the police.”

 

On Saturday, a China Press front-page report said Musa had submitted his resignation to Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak and Hishammuddin.

Hishammuddin and Musa promptly denied the allegations the same day.

Cabinet mulling ISA bill

Following this, China Press received a show cause letter from the Home Ministry the same day, demanding the newspaper for an explanation over the story.

Hishammuddin said officials from China Press met Home Ministry officials this morning to explain its position.

"If their explanation given for their erroneous reporting is not reasonable, we will take action," he said.

On the controversy over the use of the term 'Allah' by the Catholic newsletter the Herald , Hishammuddin said negotiations with various stakeholders are currently underway to resolve the matter out of court.

Meanwhile, Hishammuddin said Cabinet will deliberate on the bill to amend the Internal Security Act (ISA) this Friday and assured that it would be tabled in the Dewan Rakyat soon.