KUALA LUMPUR: Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay (pic) has officially taken over as Bukit Aman Narcotics Crime Investigation Department (NCID) director.

       Comm Ayob took over as director of NCID from Deputy Inspector-General of Police Datuk Razarudin Husain following a handing over ceremony at the Royal Malaysia Police College in Cheras here, witnessed by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Acryl Sani Abdullah Sani on Monday (Jan 3).

       "Congratulations to Comm Ayob on helming the NCID. I am sure he will be able to strengthen the police force, especially the NCID even further with his vast experience in policing matters.

       "He will be able to overcome any challenge that comes his way," said the IGP in a statement on Monday.

       Comm Ayob was previously the Johor police chief.

       Comm Ayob, 55, was appointed as the Johor police chief in March last year.

       Prior to that, he was at the forefront of Bukit Aman's efforts against terrorism for several years.

       Hailing from Pendang, Kedah, Comm Ayob has led the Bukit Aman Special Branch Counter-Terrorism Division (E8) in combating terrorism.

       He was instrumental in the division's success in thwarting various terror plots and nabbing more than 500 militants since February 2013.

       The ceremony at the police college also witnessed the awarding of the Pingat Jasa Pahlawan Negara medal to 50 police personnel and officers for their sacrifice in combating the communist insurgency.