MALAYSIA ENFORCES CONTROVERSIAL TRAVEL BAN

Posted on 05/20/2016 | About Malaysia

The government of Malaysia has enforced a controversial travel ban; barring its own citizens from travelling outside of the country for a three year period. The ban will be imposed on those who criticize the government and a democracy leader has been the first to be affected as she was thwarted from travelling to South Korea to receive an award.

There is widespread criticism against the Prime Minister Najib Razak. He has been accused of benefiting (to the tune of over $600 million) by a state fund, 1MDB (1Malaysia Development Berhad) that he established. 

Over 200,000 people demanded his resignation in a rally last year. The travel ban was be imposed on Maria Chin Abdullah on Sunday. She heads Bersih, a Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections. The trip to South Korea was to receive the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights on behalf of her group. 

Abdullah said she was not given an explanation for her travel denial.