KUALA LUMPUR: Datuk Abdul Hamid Bador has returned to the Special Branch as its chief.
Hamid, who was Special Branch deputy director, was transferred out from Bukit Aman to the Prime Minister’s Department in 2015 at the height of the investigations into the 1MDB scandal, in the past administration.
He takes over from Datuk Seri Mohd Mokhtar Shariff, who retired today.
The handover of duty ceremony, which was scheduled for 3pm at the Special Branch director’s meeting room, was brought forward to 9am today.
The New Straits Times was informed that Hamid told his charges that they must be loyal to the government of the day and give undivided support to the Inspector-General of Police and the Special Branch chief.
“Do not get involved with parties determined to call into question the government.
“Accept the change positively and uphold the foundations of the Special Branch.
“As an intelligence agency, we protect the safety and security of the nation,” he said.
Hamid told his men that “there will be no seeking of revenge” and that they should ignore those who tried to drive a wedge between members of the Special Branch.
“The SB is united”.
Hamid had been with the force for 37 years when he was removed from his post in 2015. It is, however, understood that he never clocked in to his new posting at the Prime Minister's Department. While the reason for his transfer was never explained, it was understood that it was over 1MDB.
His removal was about the same time when then Attorney-General Tan Sri Abdul Gani Patail was ejected.
The then top two Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission chiefs, Tan Sri Abu Kassim Mohamed and Datuk Seri Shukri Abdull, meanwhile, vacated their posts.
Shukri however has returned as the MACC chief and sits with Abu Kassim and Gani in a special taskforce probing the 1MDB debacle.
Hamid is also part of the four-member taskforce.