Shots fired at Malaysian official’s vehicle near Thai border

PETALING JAYA — The vehicle of a senior Malaysian border enforcement official was fired upon in the early hours of Wednesday morning near the Malaysia–Thailand border in Bukit Kayu Hitam, in a brazen incident that has sparked concern over threats to enforcement personnel and border security.

The commander of the Malaysian Border Control and Protection Agency (AKPS) in Bukit Kayu Hitam, Senior Assistant Commissioner Mohd Nasaruddin Mohd Nasir, escaped unharmed after his vehicle was targeted in the pre-dawn shooting at about 5.40 am on Feb. 25, roughly one kilometre from the frontier with Thailand.

According to Kedah police chief Datuk Adzli Abu Shah, two men dressed in black and wearing full-face helmets approached the AKPS commander’s car while riding a motorcycle. One of the suspects fired at least two shots, striking the rear right door and the front passenger door of the vehicle.

Preliminary investigations indicated that the gunman likely used a semi-automatic weapon, as shattered bullet fragments were found at the scene, police said. The shots were fired from close range — about one metre away — while the officer’s vehicle was still moving.

The commander, who was alone in the vehicle and en route to perform Subuh prayers at Masjid Al Muhajirin, managed to drive to the Immigration, Customs, Quarantine and Security (ICQS) complex to report the incident after the suspects fled toward a nearby industrial area.

Suspects Tracked and Security Response

Following the attack, police launched a targeted manhunt, with operations including checks at border entry points such as Durian Burung in Padang Terap, amid concerns that the suspects may have crossed into surrounding areas.

In a separate development, authorities reported that a suspect was arrested within 24 hours of the shooting, as stated by Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail during parliamentary proceedings. He described the arrest as a crucial early breakthrough for investigators and emphasised that border security remains under strict control.

“We will not compromise when it comes to national security,” the home minister said, stressing that ensuring safety for enforcement personnel and the public is a top priority. Lawmakers were told that the ongoing investigation is being conducted professionally under the relevant provisions of the Firearms (Increased Penalties) Act 1971, which covers discharging firearms with intent to cause death or injury.

Broader Context

Authorities have acknowledged recent threats directed at border enforcement agencies and have ramped up security measures across key checkpoints. In statements issued after the incident, senior AKPS officials underscored that the shooting would not deter officers from performing their duties to safeguard national borders.

The Bukit Kayu Hitam crossing — one of Malaysia’s busiest land checkpoints linking the peninsula with Thailand — plays a vital role in trade and cross-border mobility, underscoring the importance of robust security measures in the area.