KOTA KINABALU: Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohamad Fuzi Harun denied claims that a gambling company had sponsored the police force’s trip to Turkey recently.

He said that the claims made on social media about the trip, which involved senior police officers, were fake.

“The trip was actually funded by the Malaysia Totalisator Board (an agency under the Finance Ministry which acts as a regulatory body to oversee racing and betting activities),” he said during a press conference in Sandakan on Thursday (Feb 21).

“I do not know what is the motive of these people claiming that we were funded by some gambling company and spreading such lies,” Mohamad Fuzi said.

As for the nature of the trip, he said it was not a personal programme, but training on ways to combat online gambling.

“The trip also allowed us to strengthen relations with the Turkish police and authorities,” he said, adding that the police had similar programmes.

“The full report of the Turkey trip will be handed over to the Home Ministry soon,” Mohamad Fuzi said.

Whistleblower site Sarawak Report reported that Mohamad Fuzi and 17 other senior police officers went on a lavish trip to Turkey which cost over RM300,000.

Following the expose, Home Minister Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin said he had approved the trip sponsored by the Malaysia Totalisator Board.

Earlier, Mohamas Fuzi handed over a guidebook on criminal investigations involving chemical, biological, nuclear and explosive agents to all unit chiefs for Sabah and Sarawak.

He said the booklet was to educate and prepare the force on crime risks relating to the subjects mentioned.

“There is a chance that crimes involving chemicals will increase in future,” he said.

Mohamad Fuzi said the publication of the guidebook did not only involve input from the police force, but also from other government departments such as the Health Ministry, the Chemistry Department and Malaysia Atomic Energy Department.

“This shows our commitment to combat crime of all natures in the country,” he added. -TheStar