THE Director-General of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS), Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, has pledged to leave behind a clean legacy of leadership, insisting he will not tolerate misconduct or corruption under his watch.
Speaking at a town hall session with AKPS personnel, Mohd Shuhaily said he is determined to lead the new agency with professionalism and integrity, and hopes his eventual successor will inherit an institution free of scandal or resentment.
"I want to hand over a chair that is free of problems, a chair that has never been cursed by subordinates or the 34 million Malaysians we serve," he said. "Because our job is to enforce the law—and who really likes being ordered around? No one. So, I ask for your support in understanding my leadership, methods and approach."
Mohd Shuhaily, who comes from a regimental background, said he welcomes constructive criticism and remains aware of the operational constraints faced by officers in the field and at headquarters.
Despite these challenges, he praised AKPS staff for their commitment and expressed his desire for the agency to be respected not out of fear, but for its uncompromising professionalism and integrity.
"I want AKPS to be an agency of honour. We are building a reputation that commands respect," he said. "I want people flying into Malaysia to think twice before crossing immigration and customs lines—just like how we instinctively fear making mistakes when entering Australia."
He added bluntly: "If anyone is involved in unhealthy practices, it stops the moment you step into AKPS. It must stop."
Mohd Shuhaily also addressed a viral video showing him reprimanding a group of officers following a major operation. The outburst occurred after he learned that several staff members involved in Ops Rentas were under investigation by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission (MACC).
“Those present that night know I had come to celebrate your success in detaining and deporting nearly 200 undocumented foreigners. But God opened my eyes to something I should not have seen,” he said.
“Ultimately, half of those detained by MACC in Ops Rentas were from the same group I addressed that night,” he added, noting that the video was recorded secretly and shared on social media without his knowledge.
He acknowledged that while the video drew public support, it reflected an internal failure in leadership.
"I didn’t assign those officers to that shift by choice, but somehow I was moved to give that warning. Later, MACC arrested nearly half of them. I’m not proud of it. People may think I take pride in it, but I hurt every time one of my officers falls. It affects AKPS operations deeply."
He stressed that every detained officer must be removed from their duties, which burdens remaining staff and often results in salary freezes for those under investigation.
"It’s time for those involved in criminal activity to change—there will be no compromise," he warned.
The town hall was held at Kompleks Setia Perkasa and attended by the Minister of Home Affairs, Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail. Mohd Shuhaily reaffirmed AKPS’s mission to become a respected institution, rooted in discipline and integrity, and free from internal rot.
He concluded: "We must uphold the dignity of our service. If we falter, we all bear the consequences." - October 18, 2025
