KUALA LUMPUR, Nov 3 — Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim today defended Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail amid the controversy surrounding the police investigation into Datuk Seri Mohd Shuhaily Mohd Zain over alleged assault.

Addressing questions in Parliament, Anwar expressed personal sympathy for the Malaysian Checkpoints and Borders Agency chief but said the rule of law must take its course without executive interference.

He said it was wrong to blame Saifuddin for the controversy amid calls for the minister to intervene, emphasising that authorities were obligated to investigate complaints against any officer regardless of their track record.

“Even a former Inspector-General of Police back in ‘98 was imprisoned for assaulting someone. Did he have contributions? Yes, he had contributions,” Anwar said, adding that professionalism and adherence to the law remained paramount.