Graphic artist and designer Fahmi Reza has been blacklisted by the Immigration Department and is banned from leaving the country.
The 44-year-old found out that his name was listed in the Immigration Department’s blacklist.
“I’ve been barred from renewing my passport and leaving the country.
“The Immigration Department said the order came from Bukit Aman,” according to Fahmi in a Facebook post on Saturday (April 23).
Fahmi said he is currently trying to get a clearance from the police, as he needed to travel to Europe in May for a theatre performance.
“If a convicted criminal who has 42 corruption charges can get clearance to go overseas, I hope Bukit Aman will also give me clearance. Don’t practise double standards,” added Fahmi.
He was ostensibly referring to former Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who is facing a total of 42 criminal charges for money laundering, abuse of power and criminal breach of trust. Last year, he had applied to the Courts to leave for Singapore and was approved.
Yesterday, Fahmi was summoned by the police for his latest controversial post which was deemed seditious.
Earlier this month, he had been called up over a satirical drawing showing an ape in headgear and yellow attire, similar to the one worn by royalty, which he uploaded on social media.
He was arrested by Bukit Aman in a sedition probe over the graphic, before being released the next day.
Last month, he was charged with insulting Islamist party PAS by posting a picture on Facebook linking the party with alcohol.
He was charged under the Communications and Multimedia Act, with the prosecution contending that the post that he uploaded on June 1, 2021 was insulting.
Human rights groups have previously criticised the government for hauling Fahmi to court, labelling it as an act to curtail freedom of expression in the country.