KUALA LUMPUR: Malaysia is able to impose a three-year travel ban on its citizens who discredit or ridicule the government, the Star newspaper reported on Wednesday, as criticism against the Prime Minister Najib Razak grows.
Malaysia’s immigration department enforced this ruling several months ago in a move to safeguard the country’s image, the newspaper said, quoting an unnamed source.
The Immigration Director General Sakib Kusmi confirmed to the paper the existence of such a provision. Reuters could not independently verify the report that the penalty had been used.
It was not immediately clear who the provision had been used against as Kusmi did not comment and the newspaper did not say.
Najib has denied any wrongdoing. He has sacked critics within his ruling party and has used a different law, the Sedition Act against opposition party leaders, activists and lawyers.
Najib arrived in Sochi on Wednesday to take part in a Russia-ASEAN summit.
Malaysia’s immigration department enforced this ruling several months ago in a move to safeguard the country’s image, the newspaper said, quoting an unnamed source.
The Immigration Director General Sakib Kusmi confirmed to the paper the existence of such a provision. Reuters could not independently verify the report that the penalty had been used.
It was not immediately clear who the provision had been used against as Kusmi did not comment and the newspaper did not say.
Najib has denied any wrongdoing. He has sacked critics within his ruling party and has used a different law, the Sedition Act against opposition party leaders, activists and lawyers.
Najib arrived in Sochi on Wednesday to take part in a Russia-ASEAN summit.
