PRIME MINISTER Anwar Ibrahim affirmed that all Very Important Persons (VIPs) and himself, are subject to monitoring and enforcement under the Travel Control Office/Order (TCO) system implemented by Malaysian authorities as part of border security procedures.
“Even I’m on it, all VIPs are,” Anwar stated succinctly when questioned by reporters during a media engagement at the Meet Anwar@IIUM: A Special Homecoming programme held at the International Islamic University Malaysia (IIUM) campus in Gombak earlier today.
His remarks came in response to recent claims by Terengganu Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Samsuri Mokhtar, who alleged that he had been listed under a TCO status since mid-2023 — a status that he claimed may have restricted or monitored his travel.
Anwar did not elaborate further, but his brief comment served to underscore that the TCO mechanism is not limited to political figures from the opposition or specific regions. Rather, it applies uniformly to individuals of certain official or public profiles as part of standard national security and immigration protocols.
The TCO system, overseen by security and enforcement agencies, is designed to monitor the movement of individuals deemed to require additional scrutiny — typically for reasons related to ongoing investigations, pending legal matters, or other administrative classifications.
While the specifics of how individuals are selected for inclusion under the TCO status remain confidential, Anwar’s remarks sought to dispel suggestions of bias or political targeting.
The Prime Minister’s confirmation may serve to quell speculation about selective enforcement, as he framed the system as a universal and impartial mechanism of governance, applying even to the nation’s top leadership. – April 11, 2025
