Customs deputy-DG shot dead

A top Customs officer in was shot dead by an unidentified gunmen near a traffic light in Putrajaya this morning.

Customs Deputy General (Customs and Internal Tax) Datuk Shaharuddin Ibrahim was believed to have been set upon by suspects riding a motorcycle at about 8.40am at Lebuh Wawasan coming from Dengkil.

Shaharuddin, 58, from Negeri Sembilan, has been working for the department for more than 30 years. He is the No.3 highest ranked officer in Customs.

It is understood that Shaharuddin had left his house in Intan Condo, Dengkil at about 8am and was heading to his office in Putrajaya in a Nissan Murano. He was sitting at the front seat beside the driver.

The suspects then shot at him three times, with at least one shot piercing his neck.

Police are still checking CCTV feeds in the area, near the Putrajaya police headquarters, for further clues.

It was learned that Shaharuddin was pronounced dead at 9.20am after being rushed to the emergency unit of the Putrajaya Hospital. His body has been sent to the Kuala Lumpur Hospital for a post mortem.

When contacted, Kuala Lumpur CID chief Datuk Ku Chin Wah has confirmed the incident. He said that police are still investigating the motive of the attack.

"We have handed the matter over to the police and we do not want to pre-judge or speculate at this point. One thing is certain, he was an officer with integrity and was very firm," said Customs communications officer Aidid Tajudin.

Meanwhile, Customs Director-General Datuk Seri Khazali Ahmad said that the Customs will be reviewing the standard operating procedures (SOPs) on security for senior Customs officers.

This would involve drawing new guidelines to further strengthen the SOPs on security standard on senior officers.