TRAVEL BAN SHOCKING – DISCLOSE DETAILS

Parti Rakyat Malaysia is shocked at the outrageous action taken by the government to ban 78 people from travelling overseas because it is alleged that “they had tarnished Malaysia's image during previous trips abroad”. The Deputy Home Minister Datuk Zainal Abidin Zain disclosed this in the Senate yesterday. According to him, those banned will not be issued with passports. This seems to be a blanket ban. It would make it impossible for them even to go overseas for holidays with their families. What happens to a Muslim who wants to go for the Haj?

Who are these 78 persons? We suspect that a good number of them are leaders or activists from opposition parties and NGOs too. The Home Ministry must furnish detailed information on the names and backgrounds of all of them. What have they really done to tarnish the image of Malaysia? We are aware that a number of political activists have given speeches in different places overseas attacking the unjust policies of Barisan Nasional government and especially the authoritarian and undemocratic nature of the top government leadership. But attacks on government and government leaders cannot and should not be equated with tarnishing the image of Malaysia. The Home Ministry must provide details of what each individual is alleged to have done that really tarnished the image of the country, to deserve this punishment.

This action has come as a surprise and without warning. Were these 78 people given any notice before the decision to ban them from travelling overseas was made? Were they informed what they had done to tarnish the image of Malaysia? Would it not be appropriate to serve them with show cause letters first? We consider that the Home Minister has arbitrarily infringement upon the individual freedom of movement. It is most unjust that he has resorted to this course of action.

We challenge the Home Minister and the government to charge and try all 78 persons in open court if they have evidence against any of these people. If they cannot do this, then we demand that the Minister withdraws immediately this senseless ban.

Dr Syed Husin Ali
President, PRM

29th May 2001