Anwar says he personally sympathises with Shuhaily, but stresses law and due process apply to everyone

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim arrives at Parliament to attend an oral question-and-answer session, in Kuala Lumpur on November 3, 2026. — Bernama pic

By Syed Jaymal Zahiid

First Published: Tuesday, 03 Nov 2026 1:03 PM MYT

KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today defended Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail amid the controversy surrounding the police investigation into Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain over alleged assault.

Addressing questions in Parliament, Anwar expressed personal sympathy for the Malaysian Checkpoints and Borders Agency chief but said the rule of law must take its course without executive interference.

He said it was wrong to blame Saifuddin for the controversy amid calls for the minister to intervene, emphasising that authorities were obligated to investigate complaints against any officer regardless of their track record.

“Even a former Inspector-General of Police back in ‘98 was imprisoned for assaulting someone. Did he have contributions? Yes, he had contributions,” Anwar said, adding that professionalism and adherence to the law remained paramount.

The prime minister explained that the investigation into Shuhaily was initiated following a formal police report and reiterated that the government would not interfere in investigative or prosecutorial procedures.

“If there are allegations or accusations that someone was mistreated, it follows a process. Do not ask me or the home minister to interfere to that extent. Only now, if it is found by the prosecutors and the Attorney General that there is a case, charges will be brought,” he said.

Shuhaily, a former Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director, was charged at the Sepang Sessions Court in October 2026 with two counts of voluntarily causing hurt to two police officers under Section 323 of the Penal Code.

The charges stemmed from an alleged physical altercation involving Special Branch personnel stationed at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 on September 28, an incident that drew public attention after video footage circulated online.

The case has also attracted expressions of public support for Shuhaily on social media, with some commenters alleging that he was being victimised by rival factions within the police force.

Anwar said established civil service procedures applied when a public servant was formally charged, which could include reassignment or suspension pending legal proceedings, with such matters overseen by the Home Ministry.

Rejecting attempts to frame the investigation as a political controversy, Anwar urged the public and lawmakers not to confuse personal sympathy with legal immunity.

“If you ask me, I know him, I sympathise, and I know his track record,” he said.

“But I cannot say that just because a person is good, they can assault an officer. I cannot say that someone can bypass due legal process. Anger is one thing, but this is what I want to emphasise because there are attempts to confuse the matter.”