PUTRAJAYA: Two police reports have been lodged against Malaysia Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain over a viral confrontation at KLIA, prompting him to lodge a report of his own over what he described as a possible attempt to tarnish his reputation and that of the agency.
Shuhaily said he decided to lodge the report after discussing the matter with his team following the Sept 28 incident, which is now under police investigation.
“That led my team and me, after discussing the matter, to lodge a police report as there may have been an attempt to tarnish the name or image of AKPS generally, and my name specifically.
“I have said many times that I am not perfect. Today, I am standing in front of you, owning and facing my shortcomings,” he said at a press conference at the AKPS headquarters in Setia Perkasa 3 today.
CCTV footage of the incident began circulating on social media yesterday, showing Shuhaily visibly angered during an exchange with two individuals at KLIA.
Recounting events leading up to the confrontation, Shuhaily said he had initially gone to the airport to inspect AKPS’ operational readiness ahead of Formula One arrivals this weekend.
After completing the inspection, he joined Aviation Security (AVSEC) personnel in a limited enforcement operation following complaints about a suspected foreign touting syndicate and concerns over drug and contraband smuggling through the airport.
“Almost every day, we are finding syndicates trying to smuggle drugs to Europe. In fact, today there was another one.
“Having those two factors combined, I made the decision that day to carry out a limited enforcement operation,” he said.
During the operation, a foreign national was taken to an AVSEC baggage inspection room for questioning.
Shuhaily said AKPS was also dealing with suspected attempts by a syndicate to smuggle gold out of Malaysia, which could result in revenue leakage, although he declined to disclose the foreign national’s nationality.
He stressed that only AKPS and AVSEC personnel were supposed to be in the inspection room.
“Without us realising it, while I was interviewing the foreign national, two individuals whom we did not know appeared and were recording me and my team interviewing him.
“When my officers approached them and checked what had been recorded, they were instructed to delete it.
“As you can see in the clip, I gave them the sternest warning, as a police officer entrusted with responsibility and accustomed to giving firm instructions,” he said.
According to Shuhaily, the first police report against him was lodged the following day, while the second was made at about 5am on Sept 30.
He said the matter had also been brought to the attention of the Home Ministry and the highest levels of government, adding that he would accept whatever decision was made concerning him.
“For me, changing something comes with a price, and if that price is me, then I will pay that price myself.
“Whatever happens, I will leave it to the authorities to investigate fully, and let justice eventually prevail for all parties,” he said.
Asked about allegations of physical contact during the confrontation, Shuhaily declined to confirm or deny them.
He also declined to speculate on who circulated the footage or what their motive might have been.
“Who are they? What was their purpose? I think you can answer the question you are asking me. I don’t want to create more speculation,” he said.
