{
  "id": 216939,
  "title": "Ex-CID chief asked me to change my statement, says inspector",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/06/ex-cid-chief-asked-me-to-change-my-statement-says-inspector",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-06T09:16:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Free Malaysia Today",
    "slug": "free-malaysia-today",
    "url": "https://www.freemalaysiatoday.com/category/nation/2026/08/06/ex-cid-chief-asked-me-to-change-my-statement-says-inspector"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Former federal CID chief Abdul Jalil Hassan allegedly demanded an inspector to alter his account in a 2023 case, according to testimony at a Tawau High Court hearing. Inspector Usman Lanaga, who was among several Esscom personnel arrested to aid in the investigation, claimed he was pressured to link former Eastern Sabah Security Command intelligence chief Mat Zaki Zain to the murder. Usman, who was on holiday in Kuala Lumpur from January 5 to 16, 2023, stated he was unaware of the incident during this period. He testified that during his second remand in Semporna, he was taken to Tawau police headquarters to meet Jalil, who was CID director at the time. Jalil allegedly informed Usman he was granted authority by then Inspector-General of Police. Usman alleged that in return for agreeing to modify his statement, he was promised witness protection and a promotion. However, Usman refused to comply, as he believed his original statement was accurate and he did not want to tie anyone to the murder without sufficient evidence. Despite being suggested to be lying by senior counsel Zetty Zurina Kamarudin, Usman maintained his testimony's authenticity, citing fear of jeopardizing his safety if he filed a report or complaint. This testimony is the third in the suit filed by Zaki and seven others, including former senior officers, Bukit Aman's current commercial crime and narcotics crime directors Rusdi Isa and Hussein Omar Khan, and the Attorney-General's Chambers, among others. The suit also names Zaki's ex-wife, Nurimah Juli, and three others, who were previously acquitted of the murder charge following her confession.",
  "summary": "Usman Lanaga says he was asked to link ex-Esscom intel chief to a 2023 murder, and was promised witness protection and a promotion.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}