“I believe that people should take pride in what they do, even if it is scorned or misunderstood by the public at large.”
Tony Hawk,American entrepreneur
TUN Mohammed Hanif Omar died on April 20 surrounded by family members at his Shah Alam residence. He was 85 and had not been in the best of health for a while.
Hanif wore many hats in his long, illustrious career but he would be remembered best as the nation’s longest-serving Inspector-General of Police (IGP). He served as the nation’s top cop for 20 years from 1974 to 1994.
The last video clip I saw of Hanif was posted on Facebook by the current IGP Tan Sri Razarudin Husain who visited the ailing Hanif at his home recently.
I’m sure Razarudin was glad that he managed to see Hanif – whom he described as a “legend” in the police force – one final time by calling on his former boss at home.
“Hanif strengthened the police force. Under him, we enjoyed peace, and the welfare of police personnel was well taken care of,” said Razarudin, whose father also served under Hanif.
Former Penang and Melaka police chief Datuk Arthur Edmonds described Hanif as a fine police officer and gentleman.
“Hanif was a tough, firm and decisive man with stellar leadership. These qualities were not just in heading the force but most importantly in serving the country,” said Edmonds who retired from the force two decades ago as a deputy commissioner.
There is no doubt that Hanif was a well-respected police chief and a much-loved figure within his large family. One of his sons, Abdul Rahmat, described his father as a man who was dedicated to his family as well as the nation.
Amid the well-deserved accolades, Hanif also received his share of brickbats, not unexpected for a personality who had seen it all and had been through it all.
I’m a keen observer of the police force and I do pay attention to the performances of the top brass. There are good and bad officers and there are clean and corrupt ones too.
In an organisation of some 130,000 men and women in blue, do not expect the top guns in Bukit Aman to be able to fully grasp what their officers are doing daily on their beat.
However, we should be thankful that PDRM is not in a bigger mess than it used to be in the past and that we can still count on the policemen to perform their basic duty and provide some form of security around us.
Many of us must be intrigued by Hanif’s ascension to the IGP post at the young age of 35 in 1974. It was a twist of fate.
Hanif barely served more than a year as Deputy IGP when his boss, Abdul Rahman Hashim, was killed in a communist attack in Kuala Lumpur.
For 15 years Hanif was IGP, he served under Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad. There were several controversial episodes over this period, Ops Lalang in 1987 and the Constitutional Crisis
involving the judiciary in 1988 were the ones most difficult to forget.
Sadly, Hanif’s name was also dragged into the controversies with critics lambasting the serving IGP then as doing the prime minister’s bidding.
Whether the allegation was true or not or that Hanif was simply misunderstood as he juggled his duty, power and conscience as the nation’s top police officer, is anyone’s guess.
At this juncture, I have to say that I’m still trying to comprehend why Hanif claimed in 2018 that DAP veteran Lim Kit Siang had attempted to separate Peninsular Malaysia according to racial lines.
The former IGP had to make an official apology to Lim in
2021 over the allegation after he was sued by the DAP leader.
Hanif retracted his statement made against Lim on Sept 6, 2018, at a forum held at Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) in Shah Alam.
I wonder why Hanif decided to wade into this unchartered territory since he had already retired and was never involved in politics. Is this yet another episode in which Hanif felt he was misunderstood?
After retiring in January 1994, Hanif served as a member of the Royal Commission to Enhance the Operations and Management of the Police (2004-2005), patron of Yayasan Pengaman Malaysia, and president of the Malaysian branch of the Royal Asiatic Society.
He was also actively involved in the corporate world, holding several key positions such as chairman of Maxis Communications Bhd and deputy chairman of Genting Bhd and Resorts World Bhd.
It was Hanif’s association with Genting Bhd, a known gambling conglomerate that caused many to pass uncomplimentary and unsavoury remarks against the former IGP.
When it comes to this specific matter, I will show more generosity towards the individual. Former high-ranking officials in the government typically receive desirable positions in the private sector as a token of appreciation upon their retirement.
There is no right or wrong here and Hanif should not be penalised for getting the same appointment.
Now, I’m beginning to think that Hanif was truly one misunderstood soul.
Rest in peace, Tun.
The views expressed here are those of the columnist and do not necessarily represent the views of New Sarawak Tribune.I believe that people should take pride in what they do, even if it is scorned or misunderstood by the public at large
