KUALA LUMPUR: A man has been arrested less than 24 hours after a Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) commander was shot at.
The suspect is now being interrogated, Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said.
“The safety of our borders is our priority. We have already made an arrest in less than 24 hours,” he said.
On Wednesday, two men on a motorcycle opened fire on a vehicle carrying Bukit Kayu Hitam AKPS commander Senior Asst Comm Mohd Nasaruddin Mohd Nasir, in a pre-dawn incident near the northern border.
“Border safety is our priority. We will not bow to any threats,” Saifuddin Nasution said during Ministers’ Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday.
He said AKPS’ nature of work meant officers face various cross-border crimes, including weapons, drugs and human trafficking alongside illegal immigrants and organised crime syndicates.
“The AKPS’ role is to facilitate the seamless mobility of people and goods without any compromise on security.
“What happened is regrettable, but we are thankful that the commander was unharmed as the shots only hit his vehicle.”
It was reported that the attack occurred at 5.40am, about 1km from the border.
SAC Mohd Nasaruddin was on his way to perform Subuh prayers when the two men, dressed in black and wearing full-face helmets, approached his vehicle.
Police have reportedly not ruled out the possibility that criminal syndicates operating along the border may have retaliated after the Bukit Kayu Hitam AKPS scored numerous successful seizures this year, including 100 tonnes of smuggled rice and pork.
Saifuddin Nasution said police have also detained many smugglers and undocumented migrants in the area.
Later, when met on a working visit to Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency patrol ship KM Tun Fatimah, Saifuddin Nasution said any need to arm AKPS officers will be determined by its director-general.
He said the ministry will support any decision to do so.
“If the need arises, for example, to arm the entire AKPS with firearms and such, I leave it fully to the leadership of AKPS director-general Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain to arrange it.
“My duties and the duties of the KSU is to fully support the department so that it is able to perform its duties effectively while also ensuring the safety of its officers.”
On the latest iteration of Ops Pagar Laut, Saifuddin Nasution said it will commence on Feb 27 and last until April 10.
Saifuddin Nasution said that from 2020 to 2025 the operation has led to 344 arrests for various offences.
“The value of seizures exceeded RM106mil. The nation with the most recorded cases is Sabah with 90 cases, Perak with 71 cases and Johor with 52 cases,” he said.
