PETALING JAYA: Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar (pic) is claiming that he has been flagged in the border control system as "Travel Control Office/Order" (TCO) and is being watched.
The Terengganu Mentri Besar claimed that he was under surveillance, with him being followed and his phone tapped.
"Is my phone tapped? Of course. 100%. Am I followed everywhere, even on my own personal matters? Yes, absolutely. Without a doubt," claimed Ahmad Samsuri in a statement on Thursday (April 10).
In the homeland security systems, "TCO" refers to the "Travel Control Office/Order", a designation often assigned by a specific branch to individuals deemed a ' risk' or 'threat'.
The Star is in the process of reaching out to the authorities to verify the mentri besar's claims.
"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.
"I have been marked and flagged as TCO in our border control system by specific branch operatives, as if I were some sort of high-threat criminal, associated or part of dangerous syndicates and gangs, or a persona non grata - in my own country," said Ahmad Samsuri.
Ahmad Samsuri said that the TCO status enables complete, stealthy and continuous surveillance of all forms of movement, communication and interactions of the person of concern (or of interest).
"It doesn’t take a trained eye in counter surveillance to be able to spot these watchmen. Their operatives and elements’ 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.
He claimed that he was not alone in this situation.
"It has been brought to my attention that another prominent opposition figure faces the same tier of TCO label. Together, we will not stand by in silence," he said.
