Terengganu MB claims under surveillance, phone tapped

Terengganu Menteri Besar Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar claims to have been placed under surveillance by state actors.

He claimed that he had been flagged under the "Travel Control Office / Order" (TCO) - a domestic security designation for individuals purportedly deemed a "risk" or "threat".

"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 in a statement today.

He 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.

Besides having his movements restricted, Samsuri - who is also PAS vice-president - said the constant surveillance is also intrusive.

"Is my phone tapped? Of course. A hundred percent. Am I followed everywhere, even on my own personal matters? Yes, absolutely. Without a doubt.

"How do I know this? Well, you don’t have to be a genius to figure that out, with some simple tests and bait, the matter is as clear as day.

"It doesn’t take a trained eye in counter-surveillance to be able to spot these watchmen. Their operative’s and element’s presence is obvious and identifiable through their vehicles of choice, strangely idling vehicles, the way they communicate with each other, pedestrian spotters etc," he said.

Treated ‘like a criminal’

Samsuri alleged that at least one other prominent opposition figure is also under the TCO surveillance.

He lamented being treated like a criminal or persona non grata and warned that the abuse of government resources - if left unchecked - could also be used against civilians, NGOs, independent bodies and others who voice opinions contradicting ruling parties.

He said if such were the case, the political motives behind such surveillance would be waived off by the government as a matter of national security.

"This country will never progress if all differences of opinion are shut down, and power is abused to intimidate the people of this country.

"The time has come for us to embrace a mature, open and overall peaceful way of politics where difference in opinion is not a threat but the building blocks of a healthy and active democracy.

"Only with the courage to change and a mind open to differing opinions, can we move towards a fairer, inclusive, and truly harmonious Malaysia, for people of all ethnicities, races and religions who wish for a peaceful and prosperous Malaysia," Samsuri added. - Mkini