“It is wrong,” he told FMT when asked about a report by the New Zealand Herald (NZH) which highlighted the purported ruling by Putrajaya.
According to NZH, Malaysians living overseas have been warned that they would be barred from leaving Malaysia for three years after returning from overseas if they were found to ridicule or discredit the government.
NZH had reported that the Bersih 5 rally in New Zealand will take place on Nov 19 at Aotea Square.
The purpose of the rally is to demand that the Malaysian Government be more accountable and for electoral reform.
Rally organiser Lydia Chai, 36, who has been living in Auckland since 2001, told the paper she expected about 1,000 people to turn up for the rally – similar to the number that attended last year’s protest.
In May last year, The Star Online, quoting sources, said the Malaysian Immigration Department had enforced such a ruling to protect the country’s image.
It was confirmed by then Immigration Director-General Sakib Kusmi that such a ruling existed, and he added that the Malaysian passport was a privilege but not a right.
“The Malaysian passport is a travel document issued by the government with the consent of the Yang di-Pertuan Agong,” he said, adding the government had the discretion to cancel a passport.
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