KUALA LUMPUR (May 1): Amanah lawmaker Mohamed Hanipa Maidin wants Home Affairs Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin to be investigated after Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador accused the minister of interference in police matters.

Hanipa also suggested that Hamzah and newly appointed IGP Datuk Seri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani temporarily vacate their positions until the investigation is completed.

“To be fair, the revelations made by Abdul Hamid on Hamzah are considered allegations at this stage. Based on the rule of law, we should not jump on the bandwagon in finding him guilty," said the Sepang Member of Parliament (MP).

“[However,] for me, the allegations are fairly serious and need to be fully investigated. Under the present system, the police can investigate the allegations," Hanipa said in a statement today, adding that Hamzah and Abdul Hamid should temporarily go on leave to ensure police undertake the probe in  a professional manner.

The former de facto deputy law minister said this is to ensure that the police investigation is professionally carried out, and there would not be any doubts considering that the police force is under Hamzah's purview.

Abdul Hamid, at a press conference yesterday, complained of Hamzah's interference in the police force, especially in the Police Force Commission (PFC). He said the minister should only be involved in policy matters and not interfere in the appointment of senior police officers.

The IGP also admitted that there was bad blood between him and Hamzah, and complained that the PFC, which was required to sit every month to discuss issues concerning the force, only met four times a year.

Abdul Hamid said he had raised the matter with both Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Mohd Zuki Ali.

"We have our bosses. We have raised it (the matter) with them but he (Hamzah) still wants the power [to interfere]. This is not good for the country," he added at his final press conference as the IGP.

Abdul Hamid, who will retire on Monday and be replaced by Acryl on Tuesday, suggested that the PFC be headed not by the home minister but possibly a former chief justice.

Hamzah yesterday admitted that it was his voice in the viral audio clip which had been making the rounds on social media in the last few days. The minister admitted that he discussed matters relating to police transfers, but insisted that he did nothing wrong.