KUALA LUMPUR: No officer should be exempt from legal action simply because of a good service record, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim amid the controversy surrounding Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.
The Prime Minister said that while he sympathised with the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) director-general and acknowledged his performance, any allegations against an officer must be investigated and dealt with according to the law.
"The action taken against him was based on a police report, and an investigation was therefore carried out," he said during Prime Minister’s Question Time on Tuesday (Nov 3).
"If there is prosecution or an allegation that someone has been assaulted, the matter must go through the proper process.
"The decision on whether to prosecute rests with the Attorney General’s Chambers."
In a supplementary question, Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau) asked about Comm Shuhaily’s impending return to the police force.
Anwar said the government had recommended Comm Shuhaily’s appointment to AKPS in recognition of his good performance, adding that he had personally been involved in bringing the officer from Penang to Kuala Lumpur.
However, Anwar stressed that a good service record did not mean an officer could be spared action if there were allegations of wrongdoing.
"We have been through this before. (In 2000), a former inspector-general of police was jailed for assaulting someone. Does that mean he had no record of service? He did have a record of service.
"But we must remember that no matter how good an officer may be, he must still abide by the rules," he said.
He also said the matter should not be turned into a political controversy and that it was unfair to blame Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who had a responsibility to handle the matter according to the law.
"If you ask me whether the matter can be resolved through discussion, I would say that it may be possible.
"But we must also give due consideration to the person who lodged the report and alleged that he is the victim.
"We should allow the matter to proceed through the proper legal channels. The Home Minister should use his discretion to take appropriate action in accordance with the existing procedures, regulations and laws," he said.
Comm Shuhaily returned to duty on Monday (Nov 2) and chaired the Commanders’ Call Meeting No. 3/2026 to discuss AKPS's strategic direction for next year, after being on leave last week.
Saifuddin Nasution had previously said Comm Shuhaily would return to the police force from his secondment to AKPS.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail said Comm Shuhaily’s new assignment in the police force would only be determined after obtaining the consent of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
