Public confidence in Malaysia’s law enforcement agencies and institutions depends on the rule of law being applied fairly and consistently to all. This means allegations of wrongdoing must be investigated and tried without fear or favour. It also means every person charged is entitled to the presumption of innocence and to a full and fair hearing.

We, the members of G25, note that charges have recently been brought against Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain, director general of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS). As the matter is now before the court, we do not comment on the merits of the case. We note and commend the statement made by Datuk Seri Shuhaily that he will respect the legal process, and we trust that the case will be heard fully, fairly and transparently.

Datuk Seri Shuhaily has served the country for more than 26 years in the Royal Malaysian Police. His roles have included chief police officer of Penang and Kuala Lumpur, deputy director of the Special Branch, director of the criminal investigation department at Bukit Aman, and police attaché in Washington, DC. In July 2025, he was appointed to lead AKPS, a new agency established to strengthen border security and enforcement.

Border enforcement is among the most demanding areas of public service. Officers in this field must contend with smuggling, trafficking and organised criminal networks, and they deserve strong institutional support to carry out their duties with integrity.

We highly recognise and commend Datuk Seri Shuhaily’s long record of service to the country. In the interest of the nation, we earnestly hope that the matter will be expeditiously resolved through a process that is fair and impartial, and that upholds public confidence in both our enforcement agencies and our courts.

G25 Malaysia is a Malay-Muslim group of former civil servants and individuals with deep experience across diverse fields, united by a shared vision for a more just, cohesive and progressive Malaysia.