Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani signalled yesterday that the days of press statements from the police being the primary mode of communication with the media were over.
He told some 80 media practitioners during a High-Tea session in Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur, that Federal police were keen to conduct periodic briefings between the media and its heads of departments.
Acryl said the force had previously felt that the best means of communication was through written statements but admitted that such a practice might appear “unfriendly” in the long run.
Borrowing a line from Arnold Schwarzenegger in Terminator 3, Acryl said: “I’m back”.
“The people ought to know and have a right to know what is happening. We cannot keep quiet as it can lead to speculation,” said Acryl.
“Perhaps the media is not satisfied when we issue press releases … If it’s face to face, you can ask additional questions,” he told members of the media.
Acryl added that unlike when he was serving as state police chief or a director, his bosses could “repair his mistakes”, but now as IGP, that was no longer the case.
Acryl was named 13th IGP in May 2021. Upon retirement, his contract was extended for two years, from Oct 4, 2021, to Oct 3, 2023.