Social activist Hishamuddin Rais is demanding an explanation from the government after he was barred from leaving for South Korea at 10.46pm yesterday.
Hishamuddin said he was stopped by an immigration officer from boarding his flight for Incheon, South Korea, on grounds that there is a "new case" against him.
"I am puzzled over what case the officer was referring to.
"I am barred from leaving the country? The government must explain," he told Malaysiakini when contacted.
However, Hishammuddin noted that he is facing a Sedition Act trial in January next year.
To be observer at Seoul rally
He said he was supposed to be in South Korea as an observer at a rally due to take place at the Seoul City Plaza tomorrow.
The rally will comprise farmers, labourers, NGOs, students, artists and democrats in the country.
"I was invited to South Korea through Forum Asia, which has several offices in Bangkok.
"The invitation came from the People's Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD)."
Hishamuddin said there were two other observers who will also be there, namely Prachatai Thailand, executive director Chiranuch Premchaiporn and Asia Forum for Human Rights Development East Asia programme officer Pimsiri Mook Petchnamrob.
He said the observers were also due to meet with the Korean national police, National Human Rights Commission of Korea chairperson Lee Sung-Ho and also MPs, NGOs, the lawyers' union and art groups.
"Therefore, what I will be doing is to strengthen democratic space in South Korea.
"What I am doing is to help expand respect for human rights.
"So I repeat my question: Why am I being barred from leaving the country?" Hishamuddin said.
He added that he had no problem leaving the country during travels to London in 2013 and 2014. -Mkini
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