Principal assistant director of the Counter-Terrorism Division (E8) of the Special Branch Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay speaks during a press conference at Bukit Aman in Kuala Lumpur October 13, 2019. — Picture by Yusof Mat Isa

KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 13 — Malaysian police have put South Indian politician Senthamizhan Seeman on their watchlist over his perceived support for the Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam (LTTE).

Bukit Aman's Special Branch Counter Terrorism Division (E8) chief, Deputy Comm Datuk Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay, said Seeman, who is also a popular actor who had previously visited Malaysia, has close ties wit LTTE “elements” in the country.

He added that authorities may bar him from entering Malaysia is he found to be a national security threat.

“This depends on the investigations which we will conduct on the 12 detained so far.

“As to how deep is his role in promoting and perhaps channelling monetary aid, or maybe giving advice for the LTTE elements in Malaysia to carry out their activities, we will monitor.

“Should there be a basis, we will request for the Immigration (Department) to stop him from entering Malaysia,” Ayob told a press conference at Bukit Aman here, today.

He said that the police are also aware of Seeman's active involvement with the LTTE back in India and have been keeping tabs.

Ayob was asked to comment if the police would move to ban Seeman from entering Malaysia along with other foreign nationals with links to the LTTE who have been photographed with local political leaders.

The LTTE was a separatist group that had been active in Sri Lanka until it was officially defeated in 2009. It has been classified as a terrorist group by 32 countries including Malaysia, which did so in 2014.

A recent photograph of Seeman with Human Resources Minister M. Kulasegaran was shared on social media, prompting calls for the police to detain the DAP leader.

Seeman is the chief coordinator of the Naam Tamilar political party in Tamil Nadu.

During the press conference, Ayob also weighed in on the photograph issue depicting Kulasegaran and Seeman, pointing out that one should not immediately be assumed to be an accomplice of any crime, over a photo take with certain individuals.

“If it’s just taking photos, many people take photos with certain individuals. Say that there are those who take photos with gangsters, and then the gangsters get caught. Does it mean that they have links with the gangsters?

“So on this, we need to conduct a detailed investigation, and not just link people with terror groups simply because they had taken photos with certain leaders. That is unfair,” Ayob said, again reiterating his stand that the police will investigate without fear or favour, regardless of anyone’s political affiliation.

“But in this context, merely taking photos, that does not constitute an offence,” he added.

State new agency Bernama yesterday quoted Kulasegaran saying that he is leaving investigations on his alleged involvement with LTTE here, to the police.

He reportedly said that the allegation hurled against him was only based on a photograph disseminated on social media, from unknown sources.