Amid public anger over why border officers accused of corruption are often seen returning to duty after being arrested, the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) has explained that dismissing civil servants is constrained by constitutional safeguards.
AKPS director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain said disciplinary action against enforcement officers cannot be carried out arbitrarily, as it must comply with Articles 132 to 135 of the Federal Constitution, which guarantee due process before termination of service.
Speaking to the New Straits Times, he acknowledged that the lengthy legal process can give the impression that authorities are not taking firm action, even when arrests have been made. He added that any decision to dismiss an officer also requires approval from the Public Service Department, which must be satisfied that there are sufficient legal grounds.
“It is not that we do not want to dismiss problematic officers, but we are bound by the law, and this needs to be understood by the public,” he said.
Mohd Shuhaily said AKPS is nevertheless stepping up efforts to tackle corruption, including setting up a special task force to investigate public complaints. He said the initiative has already led to several arrests involving enforcement officers.
He also warned personnel that entrenched corrupt practices would not be tolerated, stressing that lifestyle changes were necessary despite the difficulty.
“When someone is accustomed to a certain lifestyle, it is indeed difficult to change. But they must change. If not, they will face the consequences,” he said.
Mohd Shuhaily added that future recruitment into the agency would adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards any signs of unexplained wealth.
