Shuhaily's MCBA status: Putrajaya urged to clear the air [WATCH]

KUALA LUMPUR: Putrajaya should clarify whether Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain is still in charge of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA).

The confusion followed Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail's announcement on Oct 29 that the ministry had decided to end Shuhaily's secondment to MCBA, with his next posting to be determined by the police leadership.

However, Shuhaily reportedly chaired the MCBA Commander's Call Meeting No. 3/2026 on Monday, which was attended by senior officers and commanders of the country's entry points, raising questions over whether his transfer had taken effect and who was in charge of the MCBA.

Yesterday, he visited Sarawak to inspect strategic locations along the Malaysia-Indonesia border in the Serian-Tebedu sector.

During the brief visit, Shuhaily, who resumed duties on Monday, went to the Bunan Gega border post and the General Operations Force control post in Mongkos.

He was suspended from duty after being charged at the Sepang magistrate's court on Oct 21 with two counts of assaulting two policemen at Kuala Lumpur International Airport in September. He pleaded not guilty.

Security experts said uncertainty over MCBA's leadership could undermine border security.

Malaysians Against Rape, Assault and Snatch Theft (Marah) founder Dave Avran said the conflicting developments demanded an immediate explanation from the Home Ministry, particularly whether Shuhaily was still authorised to exercise command or was merely overseeing a transition.

"The home minister has stated that Shuhaily has been sent back to the police.

"Yet reports indicate he chaired an MCBA command meeting yesterday. So what is happening?"

He said the government must establish a clear chain of command and appoint an acting director-general with defined powers if necessary.

Avran warned that prolonged uncertainty could lead to fragmented decision-making, overlapping responsibilities and confusion over operational priorities, particularly as MCBA continued integrating personnel from different enforcement agencies.

He said the Home Ministry must establish a clear timeline for resolving the leadership issue, warning that border enforcement could not afford prolonged uncertainty while criminals continued operating across international boundaries.

Criminologist Dr Haezreena Begum Abdul Hamid said MCBA's relatively young institutional structure required strong leadership to ensure coordination and intelligence-sharing remain effective.

"Border security is not something we can afford to compromise. MCBA is still a relatively new agency and it needs clear direction and strong leadership.

"But this does not mean enforcement operations will suddenly stop.

"The concern is whether prolonged uncertainty will affect its effectiveness."

She warned that crime syndicates could exploit gaps in coordination or delays in decision-making.

"Officers need to know who is making decisions and who they need to report to. Otherwise, it could lead to hesitation, confusion and delays."

Alliance for a Safe Community chairman Tan Sri Lee Lam Thye said that the absence of permanent leadership could undermine MCBA's operational effectiveness and personnel morale.

"The leadership vacuum has to be filled because the authority concerned needs a committed leader who is able to discharge the responsibilities to the best of his ability."