Former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan has claimed that he was offered RM2 million a month to ignore the activities of the criminal underworld.
“When I was there, the syndicates offered me RM2 million per month to allow them to run gambling, prostitution, drugs and loan shark activities unchecked,” The Star today quotes Musa as saying at a seminar on integrity for public servants yesterday.
But the then top cop not only turned such offers down, he went on to clamp down hard on organised crime.
As a result, several high-profile kingpins were arrested during Musa’s time in the force.
Asked if other IGPs also received similar offers, Musa said he did not know.
“I didn’t even accept hampers when I was IGP. We, as senior officers, have to lead by example and show our men the right path.”
Musa also recalled that he was once accused of taking bribes when he was an investigating officer in Malacca.
'Subordinates were using my name'
“An officer from the then Anti-Corruption Agency told me I was being investigated because some of my subordinates were using my name to ask for bribes.
“I told the officer to go ahead and arrest them. Such people should not be given any leeway,” he said.
As the IGP, Musa said he had a no-nonsense approach against organised crime. One of his major achievements was when he arrested seven suspected Malaysian gang leaders, including one with links to Singapore gangs, in July 2007.
This was shortly after he ordered a massive shake-up of the anti-vice, gaming and secret society unit (D7), serious crimes and even interrogation units in the Klang Valley and Johor, transferring almost all of the Johor D7 unit officers out of the state.
A month later, Musa took down an “untouchable” crime lord of one of the most powerful syndicates in the country, in Johor Baru.
On another matter, Musa said both the Bersih and red shirts - who have been in tense face-offs while taking part in the nationwide convoy - were in the wrong as they were not following the Peaceful Assembly Act 2012.
Asked if Bersih 5 should be allowed to proceed, Musa said its organisers should apply for permission.
“If they get it, then by all means. But if they do not get it, then they should not,” he said.
