‘Ruler and I being monitored’
Tunku Ismail also alleges cybertroopers being planted
PETALING JAYA: The Crown Prince of Johor has alleged that his father the Sultan of Johor Sultan Ibrahim Almarhum Sultan Iskandar and himself are being monitored.
Tunku Mahkota Johor Tunku Ismail Ibni Sultan Ibrahim added that cybertroopers were also planted on the Johor Southern Tigers Facebook page, as well as the personal pages such as the Sultan Ibrahim’s page and the HRH Crown Prince of Johor page.
“It is not nice when officials come to me saying that my father, the Sultan of Johor, and I are being monitored.
“And that there are cybertroopers planted, waiting in case there is something that does not go down well with certain higher ups.
“Yes, I am vocal and that is simply because I care for Johor and its people.
“I will not stand still if there are certain parties trying to take advantage of the people of Johor or break this unique unity we have,” he said in a Facebook post yesterday.
Tunku Ismail said he was recently approached by an individual to purchase an Israelimade device to spy on people and gather intelligence – which the government also has in possession.
He added that the technology was also used as a preelection help in terms of cyber warfare.
Tunku Ismail also posted screenshots of the device’s functions, such as remotely assessing a personal computer, WhatsApp messages and penetrating email accounts.
Among its other capabilities are unlimited access to mobile devices, intercepting calls, overcoming encrypted content and devices, and monitoring other applications such as Skype, Viber, WeChat, Line, Facebook Messenger and Blackberry Messenger.
There is also a service called Captur, an offtheair interception system for 2G/3G/4G GSM cellular networks which can intercept a conversation with “excellent audio quality”.
The description also stated that Captur could be combined with another service called Observer on a single platform.
The latter has the ability to locate, track and manipulate potential suspects, known criminals and terrorists covertly and remotely anywhere in the world.
The Crown Prince also said several government officials told him that the Malaysian AntiCorruption Commission, Special Branch, Malaysian Communications and Multimedia Commission and the Prime Minister’s Office had been using the device.
“When it comes to national security, I think it is something we need but these devices should not be used by individuals for personal gain.
“I know the former government used this but this is supposed to be Malaysia Baru. It is no place for such practices any longer.
“Let me be clear, I have nothing against the government.
“Johor has always had the policy of supporting the ruling government.
“That said, we will give our support when the right things are done, yet we will not be silent when wrongs are committed,” Tunku Ismail said, adding that the only thing people wanted to see was the government prioritising progress and not having squabbles within the country.