Even in his last outgoing speech as the Inspector-General of Police Musa Hassan fired a thinly veiled attack at the Home Ministry.

Not wanting to go down without a fight, Musa reminded his officers and men to remain steadfast despite "pressure from above and outside".

musa hassan mahmood adam ismail omar 080910 igp "You must not act as 'yes men'. Don't be servants. If the police are made up of yes men, the entire force would rot and collapse," he said during the handing over ceremony to the new IGP, his former deputy Ismail Omar.

"Don't be lenient or compromise," he said.

It is no secret that Musa has regarded the Home Ministry to be "interfering" with police work.

In his rare outburst at his final press conference on Monday, he had named the home ministry as one of the "third parties" causing excessive interference in the police force.

"All kinds of people interfere. People from the ministry itself, outsiders and people with vested interests who want to do things that are not right," he was reported to have said.

Don't work in cliques

In his speech, Musa also reminded his officers not to work in cliques.

"During my time, no one knew which officers who were close to me. I never called officers to my house, nor did I go out to restaurants and dine with them.

"It made my work a lot easier this way, since I don't have officers currying favours from me," he said.

Earlier, he also tipped his hat to Ismail, saying that he has full trust in him.

"Ismail will work well. But he needs the support of all. I hope that after I retire, he will improve the force, and to see to the end of every plan and strategy," he said.

"I've had a lot of public complaints against myself and the force because we are seen to not give th best service, or that we are untrustworthy or corrupt. But I hope that after I was appointed, we have made some improvements to the force.

"And now, I will sit outside as an observer. I used to be scrutinised and now it is Ismail's turn.

"Don't be involved in abuse of power, and make sure that you bathe in blood to protect this country," he said.

Musa, 58, was a career policeman for 41 years. His contract was extended twice after he had reached retirement age, and his contract officially expires on Sept 12.