KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia could be looking at having its own version of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).
Inspector-General of Police Datuk Seri Abdul Hamid Bador, who first mooted this plan several years ago when he was deputy director of the Special Branch, still believes that this is the best trajectory for the intelligence arm of the Royal Malaysia Police.
In a sit-down with “NST Insight: Conversations” at his office yesterday, Hamid was asked about the murmurs on the matter then, which were almost entirely attributed to him.
“That is true. What I had in mind was to take out the Special Branch so that it can be more independent, and be able to act swiftly on its own, without hindrances, so it can make decisions quickly and without having to go through ‘hoops’.
“I would like it to be just like the FBI, where the focus is on major crimes, such as terrorism and espionage, among others.
“By being an independent body, that is, an agency out of the framework of the police, it can act swiftly and decisively.”
Hamid was not hesitant to answer in the affirmative that his thoughts on how the Special Branch should be operating has not changed.
He pointed out that many other countries, including those around the region, had benefited from an intelligence agency that was independent of the main police force.
This, he said, included Hong Kong, Brunei, Singapore and Indonesia.
“I was in fact the one who was so vocal about it and had discussions with my then director, Datuk Seri Akil Bulat, on the matter.
“It is okay for the plan to go through because the CID (Criminal Investigation Department) has its own technical division, which is capable of tackling crime using technology.
“So why not let the Special Branch leave the force and be on its own... I have the highest admiration for the FBI and I want the Special Branch to be just like that,” he said of the agency, headquartered in Washington, DC.
The FBI was established in 1908 and is the domestic intelligence and security service of the United States. It is the principal federal law enforcement agency. It operates under the jurisdiction of the United States Department of Justice.
Since its creation, it has established a number of pioneering units at the forefront of its crimefighting efforts, including the FBI Academy in Quantico, Virginia, and the Behavioural Analysis Unit and Hostage Rescue Team, regarded as being among the best in the world.
On who could be seeing the plan through, Hamid said he would leave the decision to Putrajaya.
“I will leave it to the government to decide. If they think my idea is workable and is good for the country... I think the government, particularly the honourable prime minister and the home minister, will decide,” he said.
Hamid took office as the country’s top cop on May 3.
Hamid was also asked if the Special Branch had been further strengthened to tackle threats against the country with more divisions in the department being empowered by the use of the Special Offences (Security Measures) Act 2012 (Sosma).
“Things are not getting any better as there are a lot of emerging threats in the country, with the most serious one being the factionalism among Muslims with differing beliefs... It is very worrying and I have informed the government about it and we have got to put a stop to this... The rise of these beliefs will lead to the destruction of this country.
“Sosma is a tool that is effective in tackling terrorism and when it comes to other equally serious threats, like smuggling syndicates and so on, if they go unchecked, could ruin the country.
“The best way is to invoke Sosma. It will help this country. Only those who are intent on doing harm should be worried,” he said.