Malaysia revokes passports of sex blogger Alvin Tan, activist Ali Abd Jalil

KUALA LUMPUR — Malaysia’s Immigration Department yesterday revoked the passports of sex blogger Alvin Tan and social activist Ali Abd Jalil, both of whom have sought political asylum abroad.

Immigration Department director-general Mustafa Ibrahim said the move was necessary to serve as a warning to those who insult the country’s courts, the Malay rulers and Islam.

Mr Mustafa said notices would be sent via registered mail to the last known addresses of Tan and Ali in Malaysia to inform them about the action. “Both individuals have also been blacklisted in our database, hence they will need special dispensation in order to return to Malaysia,” he said.

However, Mr Mustafa said the revocation of their passports did not mean that they had been stripped of their citizenship and that they could still return to Malaysia by producing different documents, such as applying for an emergency certificate from Malaysian missions abroad.

But the move will prevent the duo from travelling elsewhere. Tan is currently in Los Angeles while Ali is in Sweden, where he has been seeking political asylum since October.

Tan, 26, who has been charged with sedition, fled the country earlier this year after disclosing that he had applied for asylum in the United States.

He and his former girlfriend Vivian Lee May Ling are facing charges under Malaysia’s Sedition Act as well as the Film Censorship Act for controversial online posts, including a photo deemed insulting to Islam on Facebook posted last year as well as pornographic images on their blogs.

The Facebook post involved a Ramadan greeting photo of themselves eating the herbal pork soup dish bak kut teh, with a caption wishing Malaysians Selamat Berbuka Puasa, or Happy Fast-Breaking, and describing the dish as fragrant, delicious and tasty. The post caused an uproar among Malaysians from all races for its insensitivity as the dish is deemed haram, or forbidden, under Islam.

Tan also raised another storm last week with his Facebook messages against the ruler of his home state of Selangor for having revoked the datukship titles conferred previously on opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

Meanwhile, Ali, 29, is facing sedition charges for allegedly insulting the Johor royalty and the Sultan of Selangor in his Facebook posts.

Ali was first detained on Sept 8 and taken into police custody but was released later that month after posting bail of RM8,000 (S$3,020) at the Shah Alam court complex. His freedom was short-lived as he was rearrested and taken to Johor, reportedly because other police reports had been lodged against him there.

Following his ordeal, Amnesty International adopted him as a prisoner of conscience, saying it was part of a push to ensure that he did not suffer further punishment or selective prosecution.

Mr Mustafa yesterday called the move to revoke their passports unprecedented and said the department had never before revoked the passport of any Malaysian.

He said both the government and Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi had been very patient and tolerant of Tan’s antics. “We could have taken action against Tan much earlier, but we did not,” Mr Mustafa said when asked why the department was acting only now. “We have been acting in a very dignified and tolerant manner, but both Tan and Ali have been continually issuing comments that cause discomfort.

“Let this be an example to anyone who insults the judiciary, the Malay rulers and Islam. We will not hesitate to take action,” he added.

Mr Mustafa added that the issuance of a Malaysian international passport was a privilege and not a right, hence it should not be taken for granted. “It is obvious that before the government places in the hand of a citizen a document that pledges the honour of the country, the government is entitled to scrutinise the credentials of such persons.” Agencies