PUTRAJAYA: Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) director-general Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain says he is ready to face any outcome following a leaked video showing his tough rebuke of two unidentified men during an enforcement operation.
“I have said many times that I am not perfect. I am standing here before you, addressing my shortcomings,” he said in a press conference yesterday to explain the incident which took place on Sept 28 at the KL International Airport.
On that day, he said that he and his team had gone to the airport following complaints about a foreign tout syndicate and its attempts to smuggle drugs out of the country.
“We detained the tout and brought him to a baggage inspection room. At the time, the enforcement action involved only my team and those from aviation security,” he said.
Then at one point, he said that two unknown individuals entered the room and began recording the proceedings without permission.
“My officers brought the two men to us. We instructed them to delete the recording. As seen in the video, I strongly rebuked them and issued a stern warning, in line with my duty as a police officer issuing orders,” he said.
While Comm Mohd Shuhaily declined to identify the two persons, two police reports that surfaced online – filed by two policemen – revealed the identity of the complainants.
A video of his confrontation with the two men has gone viral.
Addressing how the footage ended up online, Comm Mohd Shuhaily noted that the video being circulated was a secondary recording of the original clip.
He did not rule out the possibility that it was part of an attempt to damage his reputation.
“My team and I discussed the issue and lodged a police report stating that there could be efforts to sully the image and reputation of the AKPS, as well as my own name,” he said.
“I have informed the highest levels of government leadership on what transpired, and I will accept whatever decision comes.
“If I have to pay the price for this, then I will do so.”
When asked whether any physical altercation occurred between him and those involved, Comm Mohd Shuhaily said he would leave the matter to investigators.
“I don’t want to comment on whether any physical contact took place because it will just turn this into a case of my word against theirs,’” he said.
(At one point of the video, he appeared to have butted heads with one of the men.)
Asked whether there had been injuries, Comm Mohd Shuhaily said: “I attended the funeral (of Tun Dr Siti Hasmah Mohd Ali).
“The footage of me that day was widely shared on social media. You can see for yourselves whether there was an injury on my forehead.”
