KUALA LUMPUR: A retired special branch officer was caught off guard and contradicted himself several times when grilled during a Human Rights Commission of Malaysia (Suhakam) inquiry on the disappearance of activist Amri Che Mat.

CP Datuk Awaludin Jadid, the former principal assistant director of Special Branch's Social Extremism Division (E2) had to be reminded several times by the inquiry panel to answer the questions posed to him.

When lawyer Nizam Bashir pointed out several passages by Awaludin in a speech that he had made about extremism in 2016, Awaludin said that he had dramatised several aspects of his speech.

"It was off hand and speakers tend to get carried away at times," he said on Thursday (July 5).

In that particular speech which is available on YouTube, Awaludin warned about the dangers of Syiah followers and said that they posed a security threat to the nation.

He had also labeled them as enemies in his speech, although during the inquiry he asked for the word to be disregarded.

In that speech, Awaludin had also claimed that the police hoped for Barisan Nasional to have a two thirds majority and for PAS not to return to Pakatan Rakyat so that the Muslims could be strengthened.

When questioned why there were political overtones in his speech, Awaludin said that it was just advice.

When asked if the police were politically neutral, Awaludin said yes.

Questioning was heated at times, with Awaludin even telling Nizam that he didn't understand his questions and to get straight to the point.

Awaludin was also put on the spot about a meeting he had with Perlis mufti Datuk Dr Mohd Asri Zainul Abidin on Oct 16, 2016.

Awaludin had said on Tuesday (July 3) that it was merely a courtesy call, but Nizam pointed out a picture that showed slides of Amri's house and folders prepared by his division for the meeting.

Amri's wife Norhayati Mohd Ariffin had claimed that Awaludin was in charge of a police team that abducted Amri in 2016, although Awaludin denied this.

In a police report she made on May 15 at the Shah Alam police station, Norhayati had claimed that Awaludin headed a team that abducted both Amri and Pastor Raymond Koh.

She claimed that a police officer had met her on May 12 at her home in Kangar, Perlis to reveal this information.

Awaludin, who retired from the police force on July 1 after 41 years of service had said that the organisation Perlis Hope, which was co-founded by Amri, was a front for Syiah activities.

Amri had gone out from his home in Kangar at about 11.30pm on Nov 24, 2016, in his SUV.

His car was later found at the construction site of the Bukit Cabang Sports School in the wee hours of the morning the following day.

Amri was a mountain climber who was part of the 1997 Mount Everest Malaysian expedition team.

Norhayati and Amri were married in 1997 and have four girls aged between 11 and 19.

The inquiry is being held under Section 12(1) of the Human Rights Commission of Malaysia Act in connection with the disappearances of Amri, Pastor Raymond Koh, as well as Pastor Joshua Hilmi and his wife Ruth Sitepu.

The panel of inquiry consists of commissioners Datuk Mah Weng Kwai as chairman, Prof Datuk Dr Aishah Bidin, and Dr Nik Salida Suhaila Nik Saleh.