Musa said no IGP has absolute power. “It really isn’t anything new. It was the same in my time,” he said.
Musa said the Police Force Commission has always been empowered to decide on the transfer of senior police officers, while the IGP or state police chiefs had discretion over the appointment, promotion, or transfer of lower ranking officers.
Speaking to FMT, he said: “The commission is in the Federal Constitution. Its powers and responsibilities are enshrined in the Federal Constitution. The appointment, promotion or transfer of any officer from an inspector to IGP comes under the commission.”
He added: “I can tell you that in the Police Force Commission, there is a vetting process, and key-performance index (KPIs) are measured. Everything is above board.”
A controversy over powers of transfer arose recently after an allegation that the home minister had halted a transfer exercise ordered by the current IGP, Abdul Hamid Bador. Critics of the home ministry action contended that transfers were the sole prerogative of the inspector-general of police.
The Police Force Commission comprises the home minister as chairman, the IGP, secretary-general of the home ministry, a member representing the Public Service Commission, appointed by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong; and between two and six others, usually former senior police officers, who are also appointed by the King.
Among the critics of the home minister’s action was the National Patriots Association, whose president, retired army general Arshad Raji, said the transfer of officers is solely under the purview of the IGP according to the Police Act 1967.
He contended that the Police Force Commission only has jurisdiction over disciplinary and transfer matters where no other relevant law applies.
But Musa said only the appointment, promotion, or transfer of lower ranking officers was at the sole discretion of the IGP or state police chiefs.
Junior officers are named in the Police Act as those holding the ranks of corporal, sergeant, sergeant-major and sub-inspector.
Under Article 140 (1) of the Federal Constitution, the Police Force Commission is responsible for appointments, confirmations, promotions and transfers. It also exercises disciplinary control subject to any other law.
Members of the commission are listed by the home ministry are: Hamzah Zainudin (the home minister) as chairman; ministry secretary-general Wan Ahmad Dahlan bin Haji Abdul Aziz as secretary; the IGP, Abdul Hamid bin Bador; Zoal Azha Yusof representing the Public Service Commission; and former senior officers Alwi bin Ibrahim; Noor Rashid Ibrahim; Akhil Bulat; Mortadza Nazarene and Sidin Abdul Karim.