Mohammed Hanif Omar

He started receiving his formal education at the Anglo-Chinese School, Teluk Intan before being selected to attend the Malay College Kuala Kangsar, Perak, up until 1956.^[2] From 1954 until 1956, he was well known in the college for holding the Head Prefect title or commonly known as “Head Boy” for three consecutive years, which demonstrates his capability to lead and stand out among the college boys.^[3][4]

He later on went to attend the University of Malaya, Singapore and graduated with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in 1959.^[2]

In 1983, he took a study leave while serving as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) to read law in the United Kingdom. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) with Honours from the University of Buckingham, United Kingdom in January 1984.

His contributions to the country in terms of national security, has earned him several titles which include:

• Doctorate of Law by Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia in 1992 and University of Buckingham in 2012
• Doctorate of Philosophy by Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia in 2011

• Central Malacca Investigating Officer – April 1960
• Assistant Jasin District Police Chief, Malacca – 20 November 1960
• Assistant Officer in Charge of Criminal Investigation (South) Pahang – 2 December 1960
• Special Branch Staff Officer, Bukit Aman, Kuala Lumpur – 16 January 1962
• Selangor Special Branch Staff Officer – 8 August 1966
• Ipoh District Police Chief, Perak – 20 July 1967
• Chief of Staff (Police) of the National Operations Council – 18 May 1969
• Head of Selangor Special Branch – 20 December 1969
• Malacca Police Chief – 7 September 1970
• Selangor Police Chief – 6 December 1971
• Director of Special Branch – 31 January 1973
• Deputy Inspector General of Police – 1 February 1973
• Inspector General of Police – from 8 June 1974 to 15 January 1994

During his tenure as Inspector General of Police, he founded the elite counterterrorist unit, Special Actions Unit on 1 January 1975. He also was in command of rescue operations in the 1975 AIA building hostage crisis in August 1975.^[4] In addition, he also renamed Bluff Road Police Station to Royal Malaysia Police Headquarters, Bukit Aman on 25 March 1975. On 8 June 1976, Hanif announced all police recruits would serve in Police Field Force before being assigned to other units. This was to ensure that all young policemen would be able to tackle any emergency situation once they were equipped with jungle training.^[5] Hanif also directed all state police chiefs to review security, particularly fire prevention measures in all highrise building throughout nationwide on 28 November 1992.^[6]