Hishammuddin denies rift with IGP

Home Minister Datuk Seri Hishammuddin Tun Hussein denied there was a rift between him and the country’s top policeman Tan Sri Musa Hassan, following claims about a ‘third-party’ involvement in the police force.

Hishammuddin said there were no cracks in the working relationship between him and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

“Tak ada-lah (there is none). People are just simply accusing us,” he scoffed when asked by reporters about the alleged rift between the two men at the Parliament lobby on Tuesday.

Hishammuddin said that if Musa and he did not enjoy a close relationship, it would have not been possible for the ministry to carry out its National Key Result Areas (NKRAs) and Key Performance Indicator exercises.

“If we were not close, we would not have succeeded in reducing the crime rate or in carrying out the NKRAs.

“This shows that both of us do not have a problem carrying out our responsibilities and duties," he said, adding that, based on the achievements of the police force and ministry, such accusations were baseless.

Hishammuddin joked that if the media wanted to question him and Musa they could do so during the Police Day celebrations on Thursday.

Meanwhile, Musa also said there was nothing wrong with his relationship with Hishammuddin, adding that what he meant by “third party” involvement was based on reports in a Chinese daily that he had tendered his resignation.

“When I was asked about my resignation recently, I had told reporters that if the news did not come from an official source, then it was not true and if the speculation comes from underground source, then police will be in shambles.

“I merely quoted Section 4 of the Police Act by saying the administration of the police was under the command and control of the IGP and police officers so there should not be any third party trying to speculate this (talk of resignation),” he said.

Musa stressed that Hishammuddin and he were constantly in touch with one another as they were both responsible for the country’s security.

At the Parliament lobby, DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang urged Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak to intervene and solve the rift between Hishammuddin and Musa.

“This crack must be mended. This is the first time in Malaysia’s history that there is a crack at the highest level between the IGP and the Home Minister.

“This should not be allowed to continue. There should be an immediate resignation of the IGP or the minister stepping down,’’ he said.

the star