KUALA LUMPUR, June 22 — Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani today revealed that he agreed to step down as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) after being presented with a "post-retirement plan” by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.

He said the unexpected offer prompted him to express gratitude towards the prime minister.

"I am very grateful and respectful to the prime minister who is concerned about me. When I told him that I intended on finishing my contract on October 3, 2023 as scheduled, the prime minister very considerately offered me a post-retirement plan.

"I truly did not expect that,” he said during the handover ceremony at the Malaysian Police Training Centre (Pulapol) here.

He added that nothing was discussed prior to his decision to retire four months ahead of schedule and expressed his departure from the police force with an open heart.

"The situation required me to meet his needs. Therefore, I’m happy I’m leaving the team with a sense of direction,” he said.

However, he did not elaborate on what the proposed plan was.

During the handover ceremony, Acryl Sani passed on the baton to Tan Sri Razarudin Husain, who will assume the role of the new IGP starting tomorrow.

In turn, Razarudin appointed Bukit Aman's criminal investigation department chief Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay as the new deputy IGP.

The event was attended by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, senior officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs, and the top brass of the police force.

On June 19, Utusan Malaysia reported that once Arcyl Sani steps down from the police force, he would be appointed as an ambassador to a European country.

Both Acryl Sani and Putrajaya have not confirmed the matter.

Acryl Sani, who assumed the role of the 13th IGP in May 2021 at the age of 59, took over from Tan Sri Abdul Hamid Bador, whose contract had expired.

Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60, the government extended Acryl Sani's tenure as IGP for an additional two years through a contract that was set to end in October.