He began his career as a Criminal Investigation Officer of Central Melaka in April 1960 and rose through various posts spanning the Special Branch, district departments and the central administration at Bukit Aman.
On 18 May 1969 he was appointed Chief Staff Officer (Police) of the National Operations Council, later serving as Head of Selangor Special Branch, Chief Police Officer of Melaka and Selangor before being appointed Director of the Special Branch on 31 January 1973.
He served as Deputy Inspector General of Police from 1 February 1973 and became Inspector General of Police on 8 June 1974, leading the force for almost two decades until 15 January 1994.
