Border closure just an excuse, says ex-IGP Musa on Tawfiq probe
Former IGP Musa Hassan (left) says police could have sought cooperation from their Singaporean counterparts in their investigation into Tawfiq Ayman.
KUALA LUMPUR: Police were just giving excuses when they cited border closure for the delay in the investigation of corruption allegations against Tawfiq Ayman, says former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan.
Tawfiq, the husband of former Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, is being investigated over claims of receiving funds linked to 1MDB.
Musa stressed that police had good relations with their counterparts in Singapore who could help them with the investigation.
“Although the police cannot cross the border, they can ask for cooperation from the Singaporean police,” he told FMT.
“During my time, I always asked them to help us. There was no problem. I believe their commissioner of police would be willing to help.”
He said that even if police were allowed to enter Singapore, they would still need cooperation from their counterparts there.
“Border closure is just an excuse. Even if we go there, what power do we have to investigate? We still need cooperation from them.
“What power do we have to record a statement there? We don’t have such power in other countries unless we bring the said person to our high commission,” he said.
On Tuesday, deputy law minister Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the police were supposed to continue with the investigation against Tawfiq in Singapore but were unable to do so because the border had been closed.
Additionally, commercial crime investigation department director Mohd Kamarudin Md Din told FMT police would resume the investigation as soon as Singapore allowed border crossing.
In March last year, it was reported that police had begun investigations into 1MDB-linked funds allegedly transferred to a bank account that Tawfiq owned in Singapore.
Singapore police were reported to have informed BNM of suspicious transactions in 2015 and 2016 involving a company owned by Zeti’s husband and one of her sons.
KUALA LUMPUR: Police were just giving excuses when they cited border closure for the delay in the investigation of corruption allegations against Tawfiq Ayman, says former inspector-general of police Musa Hassan.
Tawfiq, the husband of former Bank Negara governor Zeti Akhtar Aziz, is being investigated over claims of receiving funds linked to 1MDB.
Musa stressed that police had good relations with their counterparts in Singapore who could help them with the investigation.
“Although the police cannot cross the border, they can ask for cooperation from the Singaporean police,” he told FMT.
“During my time, I always asked them to help us. There was no problem. I believe their commissioner of police would be willing to help.”
He said that even if police were allowed to enter Singapore, they would still need cooperation from their counterparts there.
“Border closure is just an excuse. Even if we go there, what power do we have to investigate? We still need cooperation from them.
“What power do we have to record a statement there? We don’t have such power in other countries unless we bring the said person to our high commission,” he said.
On Tuesday, deputy law minister Mas Ermieyati Samsudin said the police were supposed to continue with the investigation against Tawfiq in Singapore but were unable to do so because the border had been closed.
Additionally, commercial crime investigation department director Mohd Kamarudin Md Din told FMT police would resume the investigation as soon as Singapore allowed border crossing.
In March last year, it was reported that police had begun investigations into 1MDB-linked funds allegedly transferred to a bank account that Tawfiq owned in Singapore.
Singapore police were reported to have informed BNM of suspicious transactions in 2015 and 2016 involving a company owned by Zeti’s husband and one of her sons.
Ingat pegi holiday ke, nak tunggu until border is opened.
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