LUMUT: The Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency continues to carry out its duties without disruption despite the legal proceedings involving its director-general, says Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail.
He said issues involving the agency’s top leadership should not bring the entire organisation to a standstill or affect its responsibilities.
Saifuddin said he had instructed Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Awang Alik Jeman to give special attention to managing the situation, which was unprecedented.
“I assure you that MCBA operations have not been affected because the agency plays an important role in controlling and protecting the country’s borders. The entire organisation cannot be allowed to stop functioning because of an issue involving its director-general.
“I am grateful that, based on reports from the ground, its operations have continued without disruption. In fact, officers have successfully foiled several attempts, including a recent case involving a couple carrying a large amount of cash into Singapore,” he told reporters.
He was speaking after officiating the Malaysian Volunteer Corps Department (Rela) Kampung Angkat Madani and Sekolah Angkat Madani handover ceremony at Kampung Sungai Tiram, Lekir, Sitiawan, today.
Asked whether the agency would receive a new director-general soon, Saifuddin said the process had not reached that stage.
“We are not there yet. Let us settle one matter at a time.
“If the matter involves court proceedings, we will allow the legal process to take its course,” he said.
On Oct 29, Saifuddin announced that the Home Ministry had decided to return Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain to the police.
However, lawyer Muhammad Rafique Rashid Ali, who represents Shuhaily, was reported to have said that his client remained as the director-general as he had yet to receive an official letter or directive on the decision to return him to the police force.
Shuhaily was appointed MCBA director-general for a two-year term from July 1, 2025, to June 30, 2027.
On Oct 21, he pleaded not guilty at the Sepang magistrate’s court to two charges of causing hurt to two police personnel at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) on Sept 28, 2026.