He replaces Tajuddin Mohamed who moves to federal headquarters to take over from Hamza Taib, who retired as deputy director of Commercial CID on March 14.
Amar Singh was also promoted to the rank of Commissioner of Police, the highest achieved by a Malaysian Sikh, according to the Malaysia Samachar web site.
The highest police rank previously achieved by a Sikh was senior assistant commissioner I when Santokh Singh became Selangor CPO.
Amar Singh’s father and maternal grandfather were both policemen.
His father, Ishar Singh, joined the Federated Malay States Police in 1939 a year after coming to Malaya from Punjab and was a pioneer member of the police jungle squad established during the Emergency, according to a news report. He retired as a corporal in 1971 and died in 1999 at the age of 80.
Amar Singh’s maternal grandfather, Bachan Singh, was a constable who joined the force in the early 1900s. He was reported to have served in Kuala Kubu Baru, Kuala Lipis and Raub, and retired in Klang in the 1940s.
His appointment as Kuala Lumpur police chief was announced on Friday together with several other transfers and promotions.
Amar Singh’s place at CID is filled by the deputy head of Kuala Lumpur police, Law Hong Soon, while the commander of the Federal Reserve Unit, Abdul Hamid Mohd Ali, moves from Bukit Aman to replace Law, Bernama reported.
Two deputy directors of Special Branch at Bukit Aman, Mohd Sofian Md Makinuddin, and Mohd Haniff received promotions to Commissioner of Police.
Other appointments:
Dr Ab. Rahman Ismail, principal assistant director of Integrity and Standard Compliance (Religion and Counseling) Bukit Aman, promoted to deputy director of JIPS (Integrity), with the rank of deputy commissioner.
Riduan Hashim, head of Pahang Special Branch, transferred to E4 Special Branch, Bukit Aman, as principal assistant director with the rank of deputy commissioner.
Md Rusli Mat Junus, deputy commander of Marine Police, appointed as Special Forces chief of staff, Eastern Sabah Security Command, with the rank of senior assistant commissioner.
Roslan Bek Ahmad, head of Kuching police was promoted to Southeast Brigade Commander, General Operations Force, with the post of acting senior assistant commissioner
Abang Ahmad Abang Julai of the contigent administration division of Sarawak police appointed head of Kuching police
Yahaya Ramli, head of Subang Jaya police, promoted to head of Crime Prevention and Community Safety Department, Johor police, with the rank of acting senior assistant commissioner.