'Why Hisham barred, but wanted individuals trotting freely?'

The government must provide an answer as to why social activist Hishamuddin Rais is barred from leaving the country, said the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih).

It also asked Hishamuddin is barred from flying overseas while individuals wanted by the authority are freely trotting the globe.

It said in a statement that Hishamuddin was scheduled to fly to Seoul on an invitation by Forum Asia via Korea's People Solidarity for Participatory Democracy (PSPD) to observe a peaceful assembly in Seoul City Plaza tomorrow.

"The invitation was sent to Bersih, and Hishamuddin was indeed our representative."

Two others from the region were invited together with him, namely Chiranuch Premchaiporn (executive director, Prachatai Thailand) and Pimsiri Mook Petchnamrob (East Asia programme officer, Asia Forum for Human Rights and Development).

Bersih said that there is no reason whatsoever to deny him the freedom of movement, as entrenched in Article 9 of the Federal Constitution.

"It is worrying that on the day Parliament passes the National Security Council Bill, a familiar 'enemy of the state' (for lack of better description) such as Hishamuddin Rais, is not allowed to leave the country for no apparent legal reason."

It added that individuals “hunted” by the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission in the investigations relating to financial scandals involving Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak are freely trotting the globe.

"Thus we demand that the government explains itself, lest such arbitrary act on the part of the government be a signal of worse things to come vis a vis the NSC Bill."

Hishamuddin 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. -Mkini