“I can help you if you could bring old newspaper cuttings about the incident. They will help me jog my memory, since the event happened more than 40 years ago," wrote former Director of Criminal Investigation Department (CID), Royal Malaysia Police, Tan Sri Zaman Khan Rahim Khan in a text message.
He had initially agreed to talk about Malaysia's first hostage situation at the AIA building in Jalan Ampang, Kuala Lumpur in 1975 and wrote: "I am getting old, both physically and with my memory (didn't serve him well with age).
However, as soon as the interview started, it was clear that Tan Sri Zaman could recall the incident perfectly. One thing for sure, he did not require notes or newspaper cuttings to help him remember.
Recalling the incident of Aug 4, 1975, Tan Sri Zaman said he was bidding farewell to his colleagues in Bukit Aman, being his last day as Deputy Commander of Special Action Unit. He was promoted from Superintendent to ACP and was set to lead Selangor Criminal Investigation Department.
"I stopped by the police headquarters to thank (then) Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Tun Mohammed Hanif Omar and his deputy, the late Tan Sri Mahmood Yunus for my promotion.
"I took my briefcase and walked down to my old office to see my commander, (the late) ACP M.Shanmugam.
"I said 'cheerio' and they shouted at me ‘no, don't go' and 'come back'. (But) I continued to walk and almost reached the security post when my colleagues ran towards me and took my briefcase. One said 'IGP wants you back now'."
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Source: New Straits Times
