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PRIME Minister Anwar Ibrahim has stressed that a public servant’s record of service does not exempt them from legal action, saying allegations of wrongdoing must be dealt with through the proper channels regardless of an individual’s standing or past contributions.
He made the point through a hypothetical example involving the Dewan Rakyat Speaker, saying even someone regarded as a good person could not expect to be spared the law if they committed an offence.
“I cannot say that because the Speaker is a good person, he can slap an officer.
“If the Speaker does that, I cannot guarantee that he can be spared from the due process of law,” he said during the Prime Minister’s Question Time in the Dewan Rakyat today.
Anwar was responding to a supplementary question from Datuk Seri Shahidan Kassim (PN-Arau), who questioned the decision to return Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) director-general Dauk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain to the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM), despite what he described as the officer’s strong performance.
Anwar said the case stemmed from police reports and that the allegations against Shuhaily had to be investigated without interference.
He acknowledged knowing Shuhaily and being familiar with his performance, adding that he had personal sympathy for the officer.
However, he said neither his personal views nor Shuhaily’s service record could take precedence over the investigation.
“Personally, if you ask me, I do have sympathy. But when there are allegations, whether from members of the public or the police, it is a matter for investigation.
“Do not ask the Home Minister or me to interfere,” he said.
Anwar said any decision to prosecute would be made by the Attorney-General’s Chambers (AGC) based on the findings of the police investigation.
He also dismissed claims that the action against Shuhaily was politically motivated, saying the transfer or removal of a public servant from their position after being charged was consistent with established procedures.
“Let us not turn this into a controversy or suggest that it is politically motivated. It is not,” he said.
Anwar also cited former inspector-general of police Ta Sri Abdul Rahim Noor, who was sentenced to two months’ imprisonment on March 15, 2000, for assaulting him while he was in police custody on Sept 20, 1998.
Shuhaily’s return to PDRM
Shuhaily pleaded not guilty at the Sepang Magistrate’s Court on Oct 21 to two charges of voluntarily causing hurt to two police personnel at Kuala Lumpur International Airport Terminal 1 on Sept 28.
Both charges were brought under Section 323 of the Penal Code.
The case attracted public attention after CCTV footage of the incident circulated widely on social media.
AKPS subsequently confirmed the footage was authentic, saying the incident occurred while Shuhaily was inspecting the agency’s operations ahead of the arrival of delegates and crew for the 2026 Bahrain Formula One Grand Prix in Sepang.
The two police personnel lodged separate reports on Sept 29 and 30, while Shuhaily also filed a police report.
On Oct 29, Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail announced that the ministry had decided to return Shuhaily, who had been seconded from PDRM, to the police force.
The following day, Inspector-General of Police Mohd Khalid Ismail said Shuhaily’s next assignment would only be determined after the Yang di-Pertuan Agong consented to the early termination of his appointment as AKPS director-general.
Khalid said PDRM was awaiting legal advice from the AGC before submitting the necessary letter to the King.
On Nov 2, Shuhaily resumed duties at AKPS after taking leave and chaired the agency’s Commander’s Call Meeting No. 3/2026, attended by senior officers and commanders of its entry points. - November 3, 2026