Inspector-general of police (IGP) Ismail Omar returned today after a five-day visit to London, quashing rumours of his death in the British capital.

A healthy and cheerful Ismail exchanged greetings and shook hands with a group of reporters who had waited for him at the VIP Lounge of the KL International Airport near Sepang. He had flown in by a Malaysia Airlines (MAS) flight at about 8am.

“Nothing happened to me. I am thankful to be home,” he told the newsmen.

Ismail was greeted by Deputy IGP Khalid Abu Bakar and several other senior police officers.  

The Royal Malaysian Police issued a statement on Monday dismissing rumours that Ismail had died in London after the dissemination of such a message on the Facebook social utility and via SMS.

Ismail said he hoped that there would be no more attempts to raise slander against him, adding that they would not benefit anyone.

He said he gained much experience on policing during the London visit which he can share with the Malaysian police.

He held discussions with the cosmopolitan police in London, visited several police exhibitions, viewed the preparations for the London Olympic Games and had a look at sophisticated equipment used by the British police, he said.

“It was a good opportunity to widen one’s experience,” he said.

Meanwhile, Khalid said the police have gathered information from two people, one in Penang and the other in Ipoh, on the dissemination of the rumours.

“I cannot say anything more because the police are still tracing the source of the SMS,” he said, adding that the duo were not arrested.

Mobile phones confiscated

Later, Khalid said the mobile phones of the two suspects, who are in their 20s, were confiscated yesterday.

The two are not related, he told reporters at the presentation of the Prudent Driver awards for the 25th ‘Ops Sikap’ at the Sungai Buloh Overhead Bridge rest area near Kuala Lumpur.

Khalid said the police are investigating the case from all aspects, including if it was just a prank.

He said the police can act against anyone who makes slanderous remarks, intimidates or uses news portals to abuse any individual.

“The police are concerned over the abuse of the social media. I wish to advise that we need sophisticated communications technology and, as such, we should not abuse it,” he said.

- Bernama