KUALA LUMPUR: Social activist Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye shared his reflections on the passing of Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar, Malaysia's youngest and longest-serving Inspector-General of Police (IGP).
The former senior Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation (MCPF) vice chairman reminisced on his nearly 40-year acquaintance with Hanif, highlighting how Hanif, then the IGP, invited him to establish the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation back in 1993.
"I knew Tun Hanif for close to 40 years. In fact, I was invited by Tun when he was the IGP in 1993 to set up the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation," he told the New Straits Times, adding that the idea of having a Malaysian crime prevention foundation was initiated by Hanif himself.
Hanif aimed to foster cooperation between the police and the community in combating crime, a vision Lee Lam Thye enthusiastically embraced.
"And he got the support, I think, from the prime minister, then Dr M (Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad). And after I retired from politics in 1990, I was invited as a social activist to help set up this Malaysian crime prevention foundation together with a couple of other senior police officers," said Lee.
Lee added that Hanif had a profound impact on law enforcement, praising his intellectualism, knowledge, and visionary leadership that transformed the police force. Their partnership within the MCPF facilitated various programmes aimed at educating communities on crime prevention and strengthening ties between law enforcement and citizens.
Expressing gratitude for the invaluable lessons learned from Hanif, Lee emphasised the late IGP's dedication to community policing and his unwavering commitment to the well-being of Malaysian society.
"What I would like to say specifically about Tun Hanif was the fact that I had this very good memory of him. And I must say that I learned a lot.
"And he was a deputy chairman (of the MCPF) in terms of what community policing is all about, about how the public should react when they come across a suspect that may commit a crime.
"He had a very good vision about how the Royal Malaysian Police should be. And he shared a lot of his intellectualism, ideas, and his vision with all the members of the Malaysian Crime Prevention Foundation."
Lee lamented Hanif's passing as a huge loss not only for the police force but also for the nation, acknowledging his significant contributions to maintaining peace and security.
"His departure is indeed a loss not only for the Royal Malaysian Police, but also to the country. And he must be remembered to have contributed so much to the police.
He added that Hanif's enduring legacy should serve as an inspiration for current and future generations of police officers.
"As the youngest and the longest serving IGP, I hope that his legacy will help to inspire the present police force and also future police officers to do more for the country."
Earlier this morning, Hanif's death was confirmed by his son, Abdul Rahmat Omar Mohamed Hanif.
Hanif was 85.
He was the country's longest-serving IGP, holding the position from 1974 to 1994.