A VIDEO showing Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain confronting individuals during an operation at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) has drawn both praise and criticism online.
Some social media users backed Shuhaily, praising him for going to the ground to oversee enforcement work and for his stated willingness to accept whatever decision the government makes over the incident.
Others, however, questioned the manner in which he dealt with one of the individuals seen in the video, particularly the physical contact during the confrontation.
A check of reactions on Threads found several users voicing support for the AKPS chief.
User @sarip.dol.58173000 described Shuhaily’s decision to personally monitor enforcement work as a sign of his commitment to carrying out his responsibility to safeguard the country’s borders.
“Alhamdulillah, terbaik Datuk Shuhaily!” the user wrote, urging him to remain firm despite the controversy surrounding the viral video.
Meanwhile, @marianooo91 thanked the person who recorded the incident, saying the footage showed the country had a leader who was serious about protecting its borders.
Another user, @mohdfirdausabdraman, expressed full support for Shuhaily’s actions in tackling wrongdoing and called for more enforcement officers to be firm and committed in carrying out their duties.
User @nazz_zzan7 also praised Shuhaily for personally going to the ground to observe and investigate the operation, saying it was uncommon to see a department head taking such a direct role.
But there was also criticism of Shuhaily’s conduct.
One Threads user argued that wrongdoing should be called out regardless of who was involved, saying leaders should set an example and should not resort to physical contact or embarrass others in front of colleagues.
“Salah tetap salah, lead by example. Dalam hal ini Dato’ Shuhaily yang bersalah,” the user wrote.
The user also cautioned against mistreating people at their workplace, saying those in positions of authority should remember that circumstances could one day be reversed.
Other users similarly questioned whether the manner in which Shuhaily confronted the individual was appropriate, with some arguing that firm enforcement should still be carried out within proper procedures.
Others urged people not to draw conclusions from the video alone and said the circumstances surrounding the confrontation should first be established.
Shuhaily has said he is prepared to accept whatever decision the government makes.
He said he had briefed the government and Home Ministry on the incident and would abide by any action taken.
“Change comes at a price. If the price of change is myself, then I will pay it,” he said at a press conference on Thursday.
On questions over his conduct during the incident, Shuhaily said he would leave the matter to the authorities to investigate.
According to Shuhaily, he and AKPS personnel were conducting an operation at KLIA following complaints about foreign touts operating at the airport.
The operation involved a foreigner suspected of being involved in such activities and was carried out with the assistance of Aviation Security (AVSEC).
Shuhaily said two individuals who were not part of the operation entered the baggage area and recorded the enforcement activity without permission.
CCTV footage of the incident later circulated widely on social media.
Shuhaily has also lodged a police report over the video and allegations surrounding it, saying there could have been an attempt to tarnish his image and that of AKPS.
Two police reports have been lodged against him in connection with the incident.
Police are investigating the matter. Shuhaily was appointed AKPS director-general from July 1, 2025, after serving 26 years in the police force.
He previously served as director of the Criminal Investigation Department at Bukit Aman and held various positions during his career.
His appointment came as the government moved to strengthen AKPS as the agency responsible for border control and protection.
The government has repeatedly stressed the need for firm enforcement at the country’s entry points, while the Home Ministry has also focused on tackling “counter setting” and misconduct among enforcement personnel.
The video has since become the subject of a wider online discussion over the balance between firm enforcement and the conduct expected of those carrying it out.
The circumstances surrounding the incident remain subject to investigation. – October 2, 2026
