SHAH ALAM: Special Branch Director Datuk Seri Fuzi Haron took over as the Inspector General of Police today. Fuzi assumed the IGP post from retiring Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar at a ceremony at the police training centre at Jalan Semarak in Kuala Lumpur.

Fuzi, a career SB officer who specialised in counter-terrorism, is the 11th IGP since Merdeka and the first SB director to become the country’s top cop since Tan Sri Norian Mai, who served from 1999 to 2003.

Norian was appointed as IGP on Jan. 8, 1999 following the resignation of the-then IGP Tan Sri Rahim Noor – also an SB director before his promotion – following the black eye incident involving Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

Khalid, who became the IGP in 2013, joined the force in 1976, turned 60 tomorrow. He spent most of his junior years as an anti-narcotics investigator before moving up to more senior positions which culminated with his appointment as the IGP, three years ago.

Deputy IG Tan Sri Noor Rashid Ibrahim, who was widely tipped to be promoted, remains at his post. He is to retire next year. Federal Narcotics Director Datuk Seri Mohd Mokhtar Mohd Shariff in the meantime, has been appointed to replace Fuzi as the new SB Director.

–Malaysian Defence