A controversial cartoonist who is known for his satirical artworks targeting Malaysia’s elite has vowed to take the government to court after he was stopped from leaving the country, in an incident that has prompted criticisms of Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim for walking back on his commitment to protect individual freedoms.
Fahmi Reza, who once lampooned scandal-hit former prime minister Najib Razak as a clown, was en route to Singapore for a concert on Saturday when he was denied boarding at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport by immigration officers. Fahmi claimed that the officers told him he was subject to a police-imposed travel ban.
The incident marked the second restriction on his movement in recent weeks.
He was barred on May 25 from entering the East Malaysian state of Sabah, reportedly on orders from its new governor, Musa Aman, who was recently satirised by Fahmi and had faced past corruption accusations.
On Sunday, Razarudin Husain, the police inspector-general, denied that any travel ban was in place for Fahmi.
“The police have placed his name on a list of people to monitor for internal reference purposes due to an ongoing investigation involving him,” Razarudin said in a statement.
