Inspector-general of police Khalid Abu Bakar must reveal whether the Special Branch is conducting surveillances on politicians and activists as well, a DAP lawmaker said today.

Liew Chin Tong expressed dissatisfaction with Khalid declaring the issue of Johor Crown Prince Tunku Ismail Sultan Ibrahim being under police surveillance as a "misunderstanding".

The Kluang MP said the police chief's statement did not clarify whether or not Tunku Ismail's phone was tapped and his movements monitored.

If the Special Branch had indeed been snooping on the crown prince, Liew said, Khalid must explain on what legal basis this was done.

"Any surveillances on Tunku Ismail and his father, and on politicians, are a gross abuse of police powers for political purposes.

"This issue is of public interest and should not be 'settled' behind closed doors without proper accountability to the public," Liew added.

After an audience with the prince yesterday, Khalid (photo), described the issue as a misunderstanding and that it has been settled.

On Wednesday, the prince, in a Facebook posting, claimed that his phone was tapped, his movements monitored by the Special Branch and that the Bukit Aman police headquarters is having files on him and his father, Sultan Ibrahim Sultan Iskandar.

Tunku Ismail lamented that he was being accorded the same treatment as a terrorist.

Meanwhile, Liew pointed out that under subsection 3(3) of 1967 Police Act, the Special Branch is tasked to "collect security intelligence" and noted how the royal commission of inquiry into the police force called for a clearer definition of the term "security" to avoid abuse.

"It is suggested that 'security' be defined as follows: 'The protection of, and of the people of, the federation and states from a) espionage, b) sabotage, c) politically or religiously motivated violence, d) communal violence, e) attacks on Malaysia's defence system, f) foreign interference whether directed from or committed within Malaysia or not, g) the carrying out of Malaysia's responsibilities to any foreign country in relation to a matter mentioned in paragraph (a)'.

"Tunku Ismail clearly doesn't fall under those categories," Liew added.