Minister defers to chief sec over Shuhaily’s position after assault charge

Home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has sidestepped queries on the position of Shuhaily Zain as Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) director-general following his assault charge.

Saifuddin said the matter is being handled by the chief secretary to the government and the home ministry secretary-general, Harian Metro reported.

“The civil service has its regulations on how to manage such matters,” he said, while acknowledging criticism from opposition MPs for failing to act as mediator between Shuhaily and the two policemen allegedly assaulted.

Shuhaily, 54, was charged in the Sepang magistrates’ court on Wednesday with voluntarily causing hurt to Faiz Saman and Ekmal Sofwan at KLIA Terminal 1 on Sept 28.

On Thursday, Machang MP Wan Ahmad Fayhsal Wan Ahmad Kamal criticised Saifuddin for failing to act as mediator to prevent the incident being dragged to court.

Wan Fayhsal pointed out that both the AKPS and police came under Saifuddin’s ministry.