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He's first S'porean to head world police body
October 28, 2008
TNP PICTURE: MOHD ISHAK
WHAT do cattle raiding and art theft have in common?
Both are international crimes with high priorities for police forces, but in different regions - one in Africa, the other in Europe.
Singapore Police Commissioner Khoo Boon Hui said his eyes were opened to the 'reality of policing' globally during his candidacy for Interpol president.
His efforts to understand the concerns on the ground in different regions paid off.
On 10Oct, Mr Khoo, 54, became the first Singaporean to be elected to the top seat at Interpol, the world's largest international police organisation with 187 member countries.
Landslide
He won by a landslide, capturing nearly 75 per cent of the votes. It was a coup for the Singapore team handling his campaign, which also included the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Singapore Tourism Board.
But Mr Khoo was no upstart outsider. Two years ago, he was elected to Interpol's executive committee as vice-president for Asia. He then actively worked to strengthen ties between Interpol and South-east Asian police forces. A declaration of cooperation between Aseanapol and Interpol was signed last year.
And no, the escape of terror suspect Mas Selamat Kastari from detention here on 27Feb did not affect his campaign for the post. On the contrary, Mr Khoo said the way Singapore handled the matter was held up as a 'positive example' to Interpol members.
'We were internationally responsible.'
He noted that many countries tend to be reluctant to inform the international community about escaped terrorists.
Mr Khoo said: 'In Mas Selamat's case, we issued a red notice (seeking arrest and extradition) against him... in a matter of hours.
'We were not sure whether he had left Singapore, but it was just in case.'
If you were wondering, Mr Khoo's new role as Interpol president will not take him away from serving Singapore. He said: 'The secretary-general is the CEO of Interpol, while I'm the non-executive chairman.'
He explained that the running of Interpol's day-to-day operations falls to secretary-general Ronald Noble.
Mr Khoo's role, on the other hand, is to preside and direct discussions at the annual general assembly, where delegates of member countries vote on important decisions.
Four times a year, he has to chair the meetings of the executive committee, which acts as a filter for any new resolution the general secretariat proposes.
One of his duties as president is to make sure the Interpol's activities are in line with the decisions of the general assembly and the executive committee.
Mr Khoo also has to supervise the administration and work of the secretary-general.
And what if he detects any lapses?
Mr Khoo said: 'Should I detect any lapses, my role as president is to refer the situation to the executive committee to consider the situation and make an appropriate decision.
'If there's no balance of power, checks and balances, the Interpol can be abused.'
The president is 'not supervised by any organ' or department within the Interpol, according to the organisation's constitution.
Although the president is elected by the general assembly, he does not report to it.
He also noted that the general assembly has the power to dismiss the secretary-general, but not the president or other executive committee members.
That is why there is such a 'rigorous process' when it comes to electing a president. A candidate has to win two-thirds of the votes to be elected president.
However, Mr Khoo said if the president or the executive committe exercises any power over financial matters, usually in urgent cases, they 'may be questioned or challenged by the general assembly'.
He added: 'The general assembly can punish me by voting against all the resolutions... a vote of no confidence.'
Mr Khoo's term as Interpol president will last for four years.
Not all the executive committee members are police chiefs. Some are in charge of international affairs while others are in charge of the National Central Bureau, the international police liaison in their country.
Mr Khoo said: 'If I retire tomorrow to be a businessman, I can't be the (Interpol) president anymore. But if I stay within the Ministry (of Home Affairs), it doesn't affect my (Interpol) presidency.'
If Mr Khoo has a successor in mind, he is not saying who it is yet.
'We're always grooming a successor. There are many talents in the force,' he said.
He's first S'porean to head world police body
October 28, 2008
TNP PICTURE: MOHD ISHAK
WHAT do cattle raiding and art theft have in common?
Both are international crimes with high priorities for police forces, but in different regions - one in Africa, the other in Europe.
Singapore Police Commissioner Khoo Boon Hui said his eyes were opened to the 'reality of policing' globally during his candidacy for Interpol president.
His efforts to understand the concerns on the ground in different regions paid off.
On 10Oct, Mr Khoo, 54, became the first Singaporean to be elected to the top seat at Interpol, the world's largest international police organisation with 187 member countries.
Landslide
He won by a landslide, capturing nearly 75 per cent of the votes. It was a coup for the Singapore team handling his campaign, which also included the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Singapore Tourism Board.
But Mr Khoo was no upstart outsider. Two years ago, he was elected to Interpol's executive committee as vice-president for Asia. He then actively worked to strengthen ties between Interpol and South-east Asian police forces. A declaration of cooperation between Aseanapol and Interpol was signed last year.
And no, the escape of terror suspect Mas Selamat Kastari from detention here on 27Feb did not affect his campaign for the post. On the contrary, Mr Khoo said the way Singapore handled the matter was held up as a 'positive example' to Interpol members.
'We were internationally responsible.'
He noted that many countries tend to be reluctant to inform the international community about escaped terrorists.
Mr Khoo said: 'In Mas Selamat's case, we issued a red notice (seeking arrest and extradition) against him... in a matter of hours.
'We were not sure whether he had left Singapore, but it was just in case.'
If you were wondering, Mr Khoo's new role as Interpol president will not take him away from serving Singapore. He said: 'The secretary-general is the CEO of Interpol, while I'm the non-executive chairman.'
He explained that the running of Interpol's day-to-day operations falls to secretary-general Ronald Noble.
Mr Khoo's role, on the other hand, is to preside and direct discussions at the annual general assembly, where delegates of member countries vote on important decisions.
Four times a year, he has to chair the meetings of the executive committee, which acts as a filter for any new resolution the general secretariat proposes.
One of his duties as president is to make sure the Interpol's activities are in line with the decisions of the general assembly and the executive committee.
Mr Khoo also has to supervise the administration and work of the secretary-general.
And what if he detects any lapses?
Mr Khoo said: 'Should I detect any lapses, my role as president is to refer the situation to the executive committee to consider the situation and make an appropriate decision.
'If there's no balance of power, checks and balances, the Interpol can be abused.'
The president is 'not supervised by any organ' or department within the Interpol, according to the organisation's constitution.
Although the president is elected by the general assembly, he does not report to it.
He also noted that the general assembly has the power to dismiss the secretary-general, but not the president or other executive committee members.
That is why there is such a 'rigorous process' when it comes to electing a president. A candidate has to win two-thirds of the votes to be elected president.
However, Mr Khoo said if the president or the executive committe exercises any power over financial matters, usually in urgent cases, they 'may be questioned or challenged by the general assembly'.
He added: 'The general assembly can punish me by voting against all the resolutions... a vote of no confidence.'
Mr Khoo's term as Interpol president will last for four years.
Not all the executive committee members are police chiefs. Some are in charge of international affairs while others are in charge of the National Central Bureau, the international police liaison in their country.
Mr Khoo said: 'If I retire tomorrow to be a businessman, I can't be the (Interpol) president anymore. But if I stay within the Ministry (of Home Affairs), it doesn't affect my (Interpol) presidency.'
If Mr Khoo has a successor in mind, he is not saying who it is yet.
'We're always grooming a successor. There are many talents in the force,' he said.
