IGP denies allegations of close surveillance on Samsuri

 

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain clarified that the term ‘TCO’, which Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar used to describe the alleged close monitoring by authorities, was inaccurate as it actually referred to ‘travel control officer’.

PETALING JAYA: 

Inspector-General of Police Razarudin Husain has denied that Terengganu menteri besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar’s name was ever put on a special surveillance list, known as the “Senarai Pekeliling Khas” (SPK).

This comes after Samsuri yesterday claimed he had been marked as a person of risk in the nation’s border control system, being flagged with a “travel control order” (TCO), and even had his phone tapped.

Razarudin said the allegations were completely untrue, stressing that Samsuri is not a criminal to begin with.

He also clarified that the term TCO, which Samsuri used to describe the alleged close monitoring by authorities, was inaccurate.

“A TCO is a travel control officer assigned to monitor entry and exit points, such as at airports or border checkpoints like Bukit Kayu Hitam, with specific duties.

“Perhaps what Samsuri meant was the SPK, but his name is not on that list because he is neither a criminal nor a suspect,” Razarudin was quoted by Berita Harian as saying.

He explained that those on the SPK are suspects in specific cases, including those linked to criminal investigations, narcotics, or cases linked to race, religion and royalty (3Rs) who have fled the country and must be arrested upon re-entry.

He also said the authorities are aware of Samsuri’s movements because police officers are always accompanying him, as menteri besar, to ensure his safety.

“Perhaps he felt uncomfortable when the TCO asked about his destination while using the VIP lane to leave the country,” he added.

Yesterday, home minister Saifuddin Nasution Ismail played down the Terengganu menteri besar’s claim that he had been placed under “complete and continuous surveillance” by the authorities.

He said Samsuri should be well aware that as a menteri besar, he had been assigned a security detail at all times and that any additional “surveillance” would be unnecessary.

Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today also said it was not unusual for VIPs to be flagged with travel control orders, adding that he himself was subject to such monitoring. - FMT