The government must withdraw its ban on 78 people from travelling overseas for allegedly tarnishing the image of the country as it amounts to political victimisation by the government which fears losing power, said opposition leader Dr Chandra Muzaffar today.

He said that the ban was a sign of the government using whatever means to pressure the people from being critical. He added that such a move will only discredit the country in the international arena.

"The 78 people are clearly victims of our political system practised by the government which is afraid to lose its powers," said Chandra.

"Usually, only those with criminal records, declared bankrupt or those whose passport have been confiscated by law are prohibited from leaving the country," he added.

He said the latest prohibitions were under a new category of reasons for stopping people from travelling abroad.

Right to criticise

He also said that in a democracy, criticising a government and its leaders, locally and overseas, was a common feature, adding that such critics must be commended for speaking out.

"In fact, it is a right of a citizen under the federal constitution to criticise the government. Sometimes, criticisms are made because we love the country and don't want to see it deteriorate as a result of the actions of certain people," he added.

Yesterday, Deputy Home Affairs Minister Zainal Abidin Zin told Parliament that the government has prohibited 78 unnamed citizens from going overseas as their previous activities while out of the country were found to be prejudicial to national security.

"Their names have been blacklisted and they will not be issued with passports," he said.