DCP Farhad appointed as Acting CP following Naveen’s retirement

Deputy Commissioner of Police Farhad Fikry has been appointed as the Acting Commissioner of Police, following the retirement of Ismail Naveen.

Naveen, who was appointed as the Commissioner of Police in June last year, retired from the police force on Wednesday after nearly 32 years in the blue uniform.

Homeland Security Minister Ali Ihusan has appointed Farhad to act as the head of the police service until one is formally appointed to the role.

Naveen was appointed as the Commissioner of Police on June 10, 2025, after his predecessor, Ali Shujau resigned on April 26, and later retired from the police force.

Farhad, along with South Police Commander, Assistant Commissioner of Police Ahmed Shameem – had competed against Naveen for the top police post back then.

It had also been Farhad who was originally appointed as Acting Commissioner of Police following Shujau’s retirement. However, the role was taken from Farhad and assigned to Naveen instead, less than an hour later.

Both Naveen and Farhad came under the scrutiny of the Parliament’s Security Services Committee last year, with Naveen accused of holding private meetings with shareholders of a company that was being investigated by the police in a cigarette smuggling case.

The committee had recommended Naveen’s suspension in the case – a recommendation that was never implemented.

Meanwhile, Farhad was accused by whistleblowers within the police force of destroying evidence in a 2018 rape of a young girl that his son was reportedly involved in, as well as other allegations misconduct.

Candidates for Commissioner of Police are vetted by the Police Board, and the final appointment is made by the President based on the recommendation of the Homeland Security Minister.