Bukit Aman Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Amar Singh has officially retired today after serving in the Royal Malaysia Police for 35 years.

His deputy Saiful Azly Kamaruddin has been appointed as acting CCID director.

The police are expected to hold a “Beating Retreat” (Paluan Berundur) ceremony for him this evening.

The ceremonial handing over of duties, as well as the presentation of the Pingat Jasa Pahlawan Negara to some 97 police officers, took place at the Police Training Centre in Kuala Lumpur this morning.

The handover ceremony was witnessed by inspector-general of police Mohamad Fuzi Harun.

In his farewell speech, Amar described his job as a cop as the most satisfying job in the world.

"It's the most satisfying job on the world. I feel very happy and very thankful to God. I am happy that I've been given a chance to work as police (sic) and happy as I have chosen this career," he said.

In a press conference later, Amar (photo) cited the investigations into 1MDB as being among the biggest and the most challenging in his career.

"We were the pioneers to start investigations into 1MDB," he said, adding that in another life, he would choose to become a cop again.

Fuzi said Amar was exemplary for his courage in handling investigations.

"He did so without fear or favour and this is the best quality in a leader other than expertise, knowledge and vast experience to helm a department," Fuzi said.

Role in 1MDB probe

Amar was supposed to retire in June, but his service was extended due to his key role in leading the high-profile investigation into the scandal-ridden state fund.

He rose to fame among netizens due to his witty and spontaneous remarks in a series of media conferences.

In September, Amar had been asked to comment on the announcement that the book Billion Dollar Whale, which explores businessperson Jho Low’s role in the 1MDB scandal, was to be turned into a film.

He quipped: "I have no comment. I am about to read the book. Probably, they need to call me to act in the part for the raids in Pavilion. I know you wanted me to say that."

Just over a week after BN’s loss in the 14th general election, police had raided a number of residences linked to former prime minister Najib Abdul Razak and his family, including apartments at the upscale Pavilion Residences.

During the Pavilion raids, reporters had asked Amar when the search would end, to which he replied crisply: "It will end when it ends."