‘If the price is me, I’ll pay it’: Border agency chief Shuhaily ready to face action over viral KLIA incident
PUTRAJAYA, Oct 1 — Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said he was prepared to accept any action taken by the government over a viral video from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), saying he would take responsibility for what happened.
“I have informed the highest levels of the government and also the ministry about this matter. Therefore, whatever decision they make, I will accept it,” he said, according to Utusan Malaysia.
“For me, changing something comes at a price. If that price is myself, then I will pay it with myself.”
Shuhaily was responding to footage circulated on social media that appeared to show a man resembling him angrily confronting another individual at KLIA and holding the person’s head in a forceful manner.
A purported account from an individual claiming to have been manhandled by Shuhaily has also circulated online.
Shuhaily said he did not consider himself perfect and was prepared to face any consequences arising from the incident.
“I stand before all of you to face and take responsibility for what has happened,” he said.
He expressed hope that any decision taken by the government regarding him would not affect AKPS personnel, whom he described as the backbone of efforts to strengthen security at the country’s entry points.
Explaining the circumstances surrounding the incident, Shuhaily said he and other officers had been carrying out a limited enforcement operation on Level Five of KLIA after inspecting AKPS preparations for an expected increase in travellers ahead of this weekend’s Formula 1 race.
“The enforcement operation was also carried out following complaints about the activities of a foreign tout syndicate, as well as an increase in the discovery of drugs and contraband at baggage screening areas,” he said.
“During the operation, a foreign national believed to be involved in the tout syndicate was detained before being taken to the baggage inspection room.”
Shuhaily said two unidentified individuals then appeared and began filming while officers were interviewing the foreign national.
“When my officers approached them and brought them forward to see what had been recorded, they were instructed to delete the footage,” he said.
“I gave the strongest warning that the enforcement operation at the time involved only AKPS officers together with KLIA Aviation Security (AVSEC).”
