In a statement, Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain maintained that the police had never issued any official statement on the matter.

“We have contacted the news portal that published the report, but they refused to reveal the identity of the sources cited,” he added.

Razarudin also advised “all parties” to refrain from quoting unofficial sources when it comes to information involving government agencies and security forces.

Malaysiakini had quoted sources as saying that Razarudin’s deputy, Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, and Bukit Aman criminal investigation department director Shuhaily Zain would be transferred out of the force.

A source said Ayob might be transferred to lead another home ministry agency: either the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency (MMEA) or Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA).

Saiful Lizan Ibrahim was made MMEA’s acting director-general following the retirement of Hamid Amin in April.

MCBA meanwhile is led by former Bukit Aman internal security and public order department director Hazani Ghazali.

Malaysiakini’s source also said Shuhaily could become the national anti-drugs agency’s director-general, a post which has been vacant since Sutekno Ahmad Belon was made a human resources ministry deputy secretary-general in April.

According to the news portal, the alleged high-profile shake-up had nothing to do with the home ministry but was Bukit Aman’s own plan.