POLICE in Sungai Petani have detained a corporal from the General Operations Force to assist investigations into last month’s shooting of a senior border enforcement officer near Bukit Kayu Hitam.
Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah said the suspect, a man in his 30s attached to the border intelligence unit, was arrested on 5 March by the Criminal Investigation Department of the Kedah police contingent headquarters.
He was subsequently remanded for seven days to facilitate investigations into the incident involving the commander of the Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) in Bukit Kayu Hitam.
“This officer has served at the border for two years. He is an intelligence operative and we detained him to assist investigations into the shooting involving the AKPS commander,” Adzli said during a press conference at the Kuala Muda district police headquarters on Thursday.
Adzli said a urine screening test found the corporal had tested positive for ketamine. However, he stressed that the arrest was not made on drug-related grounds.
“A urine screening test also found that he was positive for ketamine, but we did not detain him for drug use. Instead, it was to assist investigations into this case,” he said.
Preliminary investigations indicated that the officer had close ties with members of a syndicate believed to be linked to the shooting.
According to Adzli, police also established that the corporal was present at the scene with suspected syndicate members approximately four to five hours before the shooting took place.
“The information we obtained shows he is closely associated with members of the syndicate and is believed to have taken drugs with them.
“So when such information emerges, we will not compromise and must detain him for investigation,” he said.
The corporal was released on police bail on Wednesday after his remand period expired.
Adzli said police would seek a bond under Section 118 of the Criminal Procedure Code to ensure the suspect cooperates throughout the investigation.
Further inquiries are continuing to determine the extent of the officer’s involvement with the syndicate believed to be connected to the shooting.
“This case is very serious because it involves gunfire directed at an enforcement officer, so we will investigate thoroughly regardless of who is involved,” he said.
Police will also consult the suspect’s commanding officer on whether he should be suspended from duty, citing concerns about potential information leaks or interference with the investigation.
Adzli added that the corporal was among 11 individuals detained so far in connection with the case and appealed to the public for assistance.
“Suspect among 11 individuals that we have detained and we appeal to members of the public with information about this case to contact the police or inform me personally in confidence,” he said.
In the incident at about 5.40am on 25 February, a Proton X70 carrying Bukit Kayu Hitam AKPS commander Senior Assistant Commissioner Mohd Nasaruddin M Nasir was believed to have been struck by two gunshots fired by unidentified suspects.
The officer escaped unharmed.
The case is being investigated under Section 3 of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971 for discharging a firearm with intent to cause death or injury. - March 12, 2026
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