PUTRAJAYA: The absence of Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (MCBA) director-general Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain and Chief Secretary to the Government Tan Sri Shamsul Azri Abu Bakar from the agency's second anniversary celebration at Hotel Movenpick here today has raised questions.
All three were listed as guests in the media invitation, which stated that Saifuddin was scheduled to officiate at the event.
Instead, Home Ministry secretary-general Datuk Dr Awang Alik Jeman attended the celebration and read out Saifuddin's speech.
He said Saifuddin, Shamsul Azri and Shuhaily were unable to attend due to more pressing matters.
However, the reasons for Saifuddin's and Shuhaily's absence were not immediately known.
On Wednesday, Shuhaily pleaded not guilty to two charges of voluntarily causing hurt to two Special Branch policemen at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) Terminal 1 on Sept 28.
Shuhaily, 54, claimed trial after the charges were read to him before magistrate Khairatul Animah Jelani.
He was charged under Section 323 of the Penal Code.
The court granted him bail of RM1,500 for each charge and fixed Nov 25 for case management.
On Saturday, Saifuddin said he had left matters concerning Shuhaily to the Home Ministry secretary-general and the Chief Secretary to the Government.
He said the matter was being handled in accordance with existing civil service regulations.
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