After TCO claim debunked, Samsuri maintains 'held' at airport

Summary

• Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar maintains he was held at the Kota Kinabalu Airport upon arrival and departure on a recent trip.

• A photo shows him sitting in a cordoned-off area where he was purportedly held for almost an hour.

• UPDATED 3.27PM | T’ganu MB insists he’s on a TCO list despite denial from the authorities.

Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar has not budged on his allegations that authorities are treating him ill.

This is despite authorities debunking his claim of being placed on a list of “risky” individuals.

The PAS leader pointed to a photo circulating on social media showing him sitting in a cordoned-off area, seemingly with access to his phone and his luggage by his side.

Samsuri told Harian Metro yesterday that the photo was likely taken by a member of the public while he was being “held” at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport on April 7.

“On Thursday I wrote that there had been a case (where I was) pulled aside on hold - to get clearance from the special branch. (This is) when I arrived in Sabah on Sunday (April 6) and departed on Monday (April 7),” he said.

The menteri besar claimed he was pulled aside and held on both occasions.

The low-resolution photo appeared to have first been posted to the Teganukita Facebook page.

A chat screenshot of the person who sent the photo to the page claimed that Samsuri was in the cordoned-off area for almost an hour while others in the menteri besar’s entourage waited in public areas.

TCO list

On April 10, Samsuri claimed this was because he was on a “Travel Control Office/Order” (TCO) list meant for individuals deemed risky or dangerous.

He also claimed that this led to him being placed under constant surveillance with his phone tapped.

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain had clarified that TCO actually refers to a “travel control officer” - a special branch police officer who is on duty at the country’s entry and exit points.

However, the top police officer denied that Samsuri was on any list of dangerous individuals. His phone was also not tapped, Razarudin added.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim and Home Minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail dismissed the surveillance on Samsuri as nothing more than routine security detail for all VVIPs - including themselves.

‘Unacceptable, not normal’

Speaking to reporters today, Samsuri dismissed that how he was treated was normal.

He also said that the incident where he was "held" in Kota Kinabalu was unacceptable.

"When I was held in front of the public, I can't accept that," he said.

Samsuri insisted he was under a "TCO" list despite the authorities’ denial.

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