PM says he's watched too, Zahid accuses PAS MB of drama

Summary

• All high-ranking officials in the country come under authorities’ surveillance, including the prime minister, Anwar Ibrahim says.

• This comes after Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar stated that he had been flagged under the "Travel Control Office / Order" (TCO).

• Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, meanwhile, accuses Samsuri of trying to gain sympathy for the upcoming by-election.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said that all high-ranking officials in the country, including himself, are under surveillance.

"I too have (TCO), all VIPs have it," he said briefly after the “Temu Anwar” (Meet Anwar) programme at the International Islamic University Malaysia (UIAM) in Gombak this morning.

Anwar was commenting on Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar stating that he had been flagged under the "Travel Control Office / Order" (TCO) - a domestic security designation for individuals purportedly deemed a "risk" or "threat".

On the other hand, Deputy Prime Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi believes that the PAS leader raised this issue because of the upcoming Ayer Kuning by-election.

“Maybe he (Samsuri) is trying to gain sympathy because of the by-election," he told reporters in Kuantan, Pahang.

The Umno president also pointed out that Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail has explained the matter.

‘Treated like criminal’

Yesterday, Samsuri said the TCO gave the impression that he is a dangerous criminal, linked to syndicates and gangsters, or someone regarded as a persona non grata in his own country.

"This ‘status’ enables complete, stealthy and continuous surveillance of all forms of movement, communication and interactions of the person of concern (or of interest).

"It is done so nobly under the guise of ‘national security’ or ‘political stability’, when in reality, it is often wielded as a political tool and an easy information gathering method on political adversaries, in an attempt to control and pressure certain voices," he said.

Samsuri said the label has even led to travel outside Peninsular Malaysia - even to Sabah and Sarawak - being restricted, with border authorities needing additional clearance before releasing him.

He alleged that the restrictions have been in place since the last quarter of 2024.

Nothing unusual

Hours later, Saifuddin downplayed the Kemaman MP’s concerns, saying as the head of the state government, Samsuri is accorded a security detail at all times and additional surveillance would not be necessary.

“As the menteri besar, he is chaperoned by police officers for safety purposes at all times. There is no need to ‘spy’ on him as the police are always with him.

“I was personally listed (under surveillance) from 2000 to 2004. I considered it part of the authorities’ duty in carrying out their responsibilities,” he added.

Minister dismisses Samsuri's spy claims as standard VVIP security - report

T'ganu MB claims under surveillance, phone tapped

PN leadership reshuffle expected - Tuan Ibrahim