Home Minister says arrests made swiftly after MCBA commander’s vehicle shot in Bukit Kayu Hitam
PETALING JAYA: Arrests have been made within 24 hours of a shooting incident targeting a commander from the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA), Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail told the Dewan Rakyat on Wednesday.
Saifuddin said the commander had fortunately left his residence in the early hours of the morning for Subuh prayers prior to the attack, and was unharmed when shots were fired at his vehicle in Bukit Kayu Hitam, Kedah.
MCBA commander survives ambush in border shooting
“The incident that occurred yesterday in Bukit Kayu Hitam is deeply regretted.
“However, we are grateful that the MCBA commander was safe when he left early in the morning for Subuh prayers. The shots only struck his vehicle. We have already made arrests, within 24 hours. The investigation process is now ongoing,” he said.
The Home Minister underscored that protecting border enforcement personnel remains a top government priority, particularly given the range of threats faced by agencies stationed at land entry points along Malaysia’s borders.
Security tightened after MCBA commander shooting in Bukit Kayu Hitam
He cited cross-border crime, weapons smuggling, drug trafficking, human trafficking, illegal immigration, and organised criminal networks as persistent challenges confronting border agencies, adding that the government is actively reinforcing protective measures for all personnel deployed at these locations.
The issue was raised in the House by Rantau Panjang MP Datuk Siti Zailah Mohd Yusoff, who sought clarity on the government’s commitment to the safety of enforcement officers in the wake of the shooting.
The same parliamentary session also saw Saifuddin address a separate query from Siti Zailah on recent reforms to immigration passes, including the Professional Visit Pass, Temporary Employment Pass, and student visa pathways.
On the student visa front, the minister highlighted a newly introduced policy allowing foreign graduates of Malaysian institutions to remain in the country for an additional 12 months following the completion of their studies — a significant departure from the previous requirement that mandated immediate departure upon graduation.
The extended stay is intended to give graduates time to pursue internships, post-study training, or employment opportunities in sectors where local talent may be in short supply.