Skeletons in ex-IGP Hanif Omar’s cupboard
Elizabeth Wong : 13th Floor
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In the long list of individuals named by premier Abdullah Ahmad Badawi’s government as “eminent and credible” enough to be members of the ‘Special Commission to Enhance the Operations and Management of the Royal Malaysia Police’, one name stands out from the rest - Mohd Hanif Omar.
This is a man certainly not known for his ferocity in the defence of civil liberties, or for an exemplary record of putting the police in place. Finding the former director of Special Branch and ex-inspector general of police (June 1974-January 1994) on the name list has caused much distress to all victims of police torture during his time.
When his name was first suggested by, no less than a sitting member of the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), many human rights activists were aghast. That he has been appointed deputy chairperson is a bad reflection on the credibility of the special commission. (more…)
