Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua today filed a judicial review application to challenge a foreign countries travel ban imposed on him by the Immigration Department.

The review seeks to quash the decision to issue the ban made by the department's director-general.

The application was filed through his lawyer Gobind Singh Deo.

On July 22, it was reported that the government had barred Pua from leaving to Jogjakarta, Indonesia from Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2.

Pua, who is also DAP's national publicity secretary, named the director-general of Immigration and government as respondents.

The reason inferred for the travel ban was that Pua allegedly had indulged in 'activity detrimental to parliamentary democracy' as it would be termed by the authorities.

The PJ Utara MP is seeking a declaration that the order barring him from foreign travel be declared null and void. He is also seeking special damages for the flight fare, costs and other relief deemed fit by the court.

Acted ultra-vires

Gobind ( photo ) told reporters his client would first seek leave (permission) to start the judicial review application.

He said his firm wrote to the immigration director-general on July 24 seeking an explanation but till today, there has been no reply.

According to the application, the respondents acted ultra-vires (beyond their  powers) as they did not give him notice.

Pua claimed the decision was not rational, unfair to him and violated the principle of legitimate expectation.

Pua's passport was renewed on Nov 18 last year and expires on April 22, 2020.