According to Deputy Home Minister Nur Jazlan Mohamed, the law states that all passports are issued only at the discretion of the Immigration’s director-general who acts in the interest of the public.

“The power to allow people to come in or go out of the country is with the Immigration Department director-general. He issues the passport which is a privilege, not a right,”said Nur Jazlan when approached by reporters at the Parliament lobby here today.

He was responding to the Immigration Department’s regulation, stating that those who ridiculed the country would be imposed a three-year overseas travel ban.

When asked as to the case of Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah who found out she had been barred from leaving the country without any reason provided to her, Nur Jazlan said she should have checked with the Immigration Department first before making her travel plans.

He also explained that the interpretation of insult and ridicule lies within the Federal Constitution’s definition of offensive words and behaviour, taking into consideration the public’s response.

“Like Alvin Tan’s Facebook postings and insults on religion and such. If we feel that is considered as insulting the country, then we can take action.

“Some people do things in their individual capacity. It doesn’t affect people directly but it may affect the country’s image. Some people do things with the deliberate intention of damaging the country’s image and reputation.

“So, we look at those people who collectively do harmful things to the country and take action.”

He, however, said that to date, the execution of this rule was rare, with most individuals barred subjected to such action because of criminal activities, among others.