4 Things You Probably Didn't Know About CCID Director Amar Singh
The police chief led raids in properties linked to former prime minister Najib Razak.
By John Lim — 25 May 2018, 06:15 PM
Federal Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID) director Commissioner Datuk Seri Amar Singh Ishar Singh has found unexpected Internet fame amidst investigations into the scandal-plagued 1MDB
The lawman led a series of raids that combed through luxury condominiums in downtown KL and the private residence owned by former prime minister Najib Razak.
The raids saw authorities seizing valuables amounting to staggering figures.
Amar's no-nonsense demeanour has earned him the title of "Singh Is King" among netizens, a wordplay on the popular Indian comedy-action film 'Singh Is Kinng'
1. He joined the police force in 1983
According to New Straits Times (NST), Amar started his career in the Ipoh district police headquarters after completing the Assistant Superintendent Cadet police basic training in 1983.
He then steadily moved up the ranks and held different positions in the police force.
2. His father and maternal grandfather were both policemen
His father, Ishar Singh, joined the Federated Malay States Police in 1939 a year after coming to Malaya from Punjab. Free Malaysia Today (FMT) said Ishar was a pioneer member of a special police jungle squad.
Amar's maternal grandfather Bachan Singh was a constable in the early 1900s.
3. He has multiple academic degrees in various disciplines
In addition to an LLB from the University of Buckingham, we found out that Amar also has a Bachelor of Science degree and a Master's in Criminal Justice from Universiti Malaya (UM), and a Diploma in Syariah Law and Practice from the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM).
4. He became the first Sikh officer to hold the Kuala Lumpur Police Chief post
In 2016, Amar was promoted to take up the Kuala Lumpur Police Chief role, to which he said was an honour to the minority races in Malaysia.
"This also proves that the force's leadership are colourblind in promoting its officers as well as in executing our duties," he said as quoted in a New Straits Times (NST) report.
17 months later, he was promoted to head the Commercial Crime Investigation Department (CCID).