Bersih: Cruel, unusual to travel ban elected reps
Why are there travel restrictions on democratically-elected politicians while convicted killers can flee the country, asked electoral watchdog Bersih.
"What is the legal justification used to block their freedom to travel as guaranteed by the Federal Constitution, besides 'orders from above'?
"What is the reason that activists, and democratically-elected representatives have to refer to the Immigration Department before they can leave the country?
"Strangely, Sirul Azhar Umar ( photo ) the killer of Altantuya Shaariibuu, can escape to Australia," it pointed out in a statement today.
The group was commenting on travel restrictions placed on Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua and The Edge Media Group boss Tong Kooi Ong, in the wake of their statements on the 1MDB issue.
The duo, together with Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, will be probed under Section 124 of the Penal Code for alleged 'activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy'.
This is believed to be in relation to allegations that they had fabricated evidence against 1MDB.
Whistleblowers punished
Bersih said its checks also revealed that its chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah, and members Jannie Lasimbang, Wong Chin Huat and Hishamuddin Rais, as well as activists Ambiga Sreenavasan and Adam Adli, have also been banned from overseas travel by the Immigration Department.
However, it is not clear if the restriction is only for travel to Sabah and Sarawak, or for other countries as well.
Sirul, had managed to flee to Australia after he was sentenced to death for Altantuya's murder.
Bersih said the travel bans were regrettable as whistleblowers were being punished while suspects were free to travel.
It added that laws which enabled such restrictions were cruel and unusual.
"Immigration restrictions on the basis of 'orders from above' are among the cruel and unusual laws that must be abolished," it said.
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