Anwar: Vital to abide by the rules, even with good service
A GOOD service record does not place an officer above the law, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim amid the controversy surrounding Comm Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain.
The Prime Minister said that while he personally 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 in accordance with the law.
“The action taken against him was based on a police report, and an investigation was therefore carried out.
“We must remember that no matter how good an officer may be, he must still abide by the rules.
“If there is a prosecution or an allegation that someone has been assaulted, the matter must go through the proper process,” he said during Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat.
The decision on whether to prosecute rests with the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC), he added.
He was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Dr Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau), who asked about Comm Mohd Shuhaily’s transfer back to the police force.
Anwar said the current government had recommended Comm Mohd 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.
“But we have been through this before.
“In 1998, an 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,” he said.
Anwar also said the matter should not be turned into a political controversy, adding that it was unfair to blame Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who was responsible for handling the matter in accordance with 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 alleges that he is the victim.
“We should allow the matter to proceed through the proper legal channels,” he said.
Comm Mohd Shuhaily returned to duty on Nov 2 and chaired the Commanders’ Call Meeting to discuss the agency’s strategic direction for 2027, after taking leave last week.
Saifuddin Nasution had previously said that Comm Mohd Shuhaily would be returned to the police force from his secondment at AKPS.
Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Mohd Khalid Ismail said Comm Mohd Shuhaily’s new assignment in the police force would only be determined after obtaining the consent of His Majesty Sultan Ibrahim, King of Malaysia.
