KUALA LUMPUR: The National Patriots Association (Patriot) has demanded Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin be axed from the Perikatan Nasional (PN) Cabinet.

The call made by Patriot follows Hamzah's actions for allegedly insulting, insolence and disregarding the statutory functions of the police force.

Its president Brig Gen (Rtd) Datuk Mohamed Arshad Raji in a statement today cited the leaked audio clip that featured Hamzah discussing appointments with top police officers as the reason for their demand.

"Prime Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin must fire Hamzah for his insult, insolence and disregard for statutory functions of the police force. 

"Retaining him gives the impression that ministers in the PN government are free to act above the law with total disregard to principles and conventions of good governance.

"It also means that the PN government is not serious to root out corruption," he said.

It was reported yesterday that Hamzah had admitted that he was the person featured in the audio clip, in which he was heard as allegedly discussing the appointments of 'orang kita' (people aligned to his camp) as senior police officers.

In his defence, Hamzah had said that he had not committed any wrongdoing and turned the tables on the people who taped the conversation, which he disclosed took place last year.

Arshad, however, said Hamzah's comments were highly obnoxious and he must be censured.

On Hamzah's comments that senior police officers were within his purview as the chairman of Police Commission, Arshad reminded him that although Article 140 of the Constitution gives chairmanship to the home minister, it does not mean he has absolute power to make decisions on promotions and appointments.

He added the Inspector-General of Police, by convention, has a say on the appointments because the latter knows his men well and his views should be respected.

"What does the minister know about discipline and police personnel management?

"A minister comes and go. Politicians are stigmatised with cronyism and nepotism. Whereas those in uniform are known for their integrity and they readily sacrifice and risk their lives in the line of duty," he said.

Arshad also said the audio recording that featured Hamzah discussing appointments of senior police officers demonstrated utter abandonment of the principles of good governance where promotions should be on merits and not based on cronyism or from one's own state or to please the royalty.

Referring to senior police officers as "Budak", he said, is an insult to all men in uniform.

"The ranks of senior police officers are given by the Yang DiPertuan Agong.

"Most are still well respected long after their retirement.

"A minister is a nobody the moment he leaves office."

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2021/05/686944/patriot-hamzah-should-be-sacked-pn-cabinet