BENTONG: The public should not misinterpret the case involving Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) director-general Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) until the police investigation is completed.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said police were investigating the complaint, including recording statements, gathering evidence and completing the investigation papers before referring them to the Attorney General’s Chambers for further action.
“An investigation is ongoing. The police will conduct the investigation, statements will be recorded, evidence gathered and the investigation papers completed. That is the process that I know is currently underway,” he told reporters after the handover ceremony for the completed construction, demolition and upgrading project of the Karak Rehabilitation Centre (CRC) in Bentong on Monday (Oct 5).
Saifuddin Nasution said he did not have information on whether the investigation papers had already been referred to the AGC.
He said all parties should allow the process to take its course before any further information was made public.
“Once the entire process is completed, only then will we inform the public,” he said.
Saifuddin Nasution said AKPS was a relatively new agency, established about two years ago to consolidate the functions of various agencies involved in border control under one entity.
He said the agency carried a major responsibility to ensure that the country’s entry and exit points, including KLIA, were not tainted by integrity issues.
“The establishment of AKPS comes with a major responsibility to ensure that our entry and exit points, including KLIA, are not tainted by integrity issues, especially following several drug-related cases involving Malaysians that have attracted attention,” he said.
Saifuddin Nasution said AKPS officers were also exposed to various challenges as their responsibilities were closely linked to safeguarding national sovereignty and security.
He added that other enforcement agencies under the Home Ministry, including the police, also had their respective responsibilities in protecting national security and the country’s interests.
The case involving Comm Mohd Shuhaily came to light after he and an AKPS team were at KLIA Terminal 1 to assess operational preparedness ahead of the arrival of delegates and crew for the 2026 Gulf Air Bahrain Grand Prix.
Following the assessment, Comm Mohd Shuhaily and the AKPS operations team, together with KLIA Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel, conducted limited enforcement action following a complaint regarding a syndicate allegedly involving foreign “runners” at the airport.
The operation resulted in the detention of a foreign national suspected of involvement in the activity. The individual was subsequently taken to the AVSEC baggage inspection room for examination and an interview.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily had said the operation involved only AKPS and AVSEC personnel and did not involve the Royal Malaysia Police or other enforcement agencies.
During the interview, two unidentified individuals allegedly entered the area and recorded the incident without permission.
A video and reports concerning an alleged altercation during the incident subsequently went viral on social media.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily later held a press conference and left it to the authorities to investigate the allegations surrounding the incident and the motive behind the circulation of the video.
