The controversy began on June 7, when Fahmi posted on Facebook and Instagram claiming that he had been barred from leaving Malaysia while trying to board a flight to Singapore.
SHAH ALAM - Activist and graphic designer Fahmi Reza has publicly disputed official explanations after being stopped from boarding a flight at Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), fuelling a public debate over whether his freedom of movement was improperly restricted.
Here’s what is known so far:
The controversy began on June 7, when Fahmi posted on Facebook and Instagram claiming that he had been barred from leaving Malaysia while trying to board a flight to Singapore.
An immigration officer reportedly told him that he was blacklisted. Fahmi also pointed out that he had recently been barred from entering Sabah.
His post went viral, drawing public scrutiny and media coverage.
In response, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim instructed Deputy Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Ayob Khan Mydin Pitchay to investigate the matter.
The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) issued a statement affirming that the government respects individual freedoms ‘as long as they do not compromise national security or violate existing laws’ and requested further clarification from the police.
Later the same day, Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Razarudin Husain issued a statement clarifying that no official travel ban had been imposed on Fahmi Reza.
Razarudin explained that Fahmi’s name was on an internal police movement monitoring list due to ongoing investigations but that this list does not impose any legal restriction on travel.
“It must be emphasised that this list does not imply any restrictions but is part of the standard monitoring procedures implemented by the authorities,” the statement read.
Razarudin added that a procedural error occurred during Fahmi’s airport clearance process, resulting in an erroneous movement restriction order being triggered.
“The matter is being reviewed with appropriate steps to be taken to refine existing procedures,” he said.
He also reaffirmed that the police remained committed to respecting the freedom of movement of all Malaysians.
According to the police, Fahmi is free to travel in and out of Malaysia, subject to existing immigration regulations.
However, Fahmi rejected the explanation and published a new statement on social media on June 8, responding directly to Anwar’s and the IGP’s statements.
In an open letter addressed to the Madani Government, Fahmi wrote:
"I have read Anwar Ibrahim’s response blaming the police and the police blaming Immigration, saying 'no official restrictions' and that 'confusion occurred during the clearance process.'”
"Do you know what I don’t see? I don’t see anyone in the government taking responsibility for the mistake that caused my right to freedom of movement to be blocked."
"You can say 'no official restriction' easily. But in reality, I was blocked yesterday. I was not allowed to leave the country. I was denied my rights as a citizen."
He went on to criticise what he sees as a lack of accountability, writing: “I’m just an ordinary citizen. You blocked me, caused trouble, wasted my time and money and then wash your hands of it.”
Fahmi ended his statement with a clear warning that he intends to take legal action: “This time, it’s the people’s turn to take the authorities to court. The government and authorities are not immune. The people must be brave to fight back. You always tell us to 'use the right channels', right? Okay, we’ll see you in court.”
Malaysians on social media also weighed in on the issue.
Instagram user @ey.s.karim urged, “Please sue the government, we need it to happen.”
Another user, @hizapizza, voiced support by saying, “Yes, we have your back. The government is meant to serve the people, not the other way around.”
@yixian_ong added, “You are the check and balance we yearned for. It is unfortunate that it comes at such a cost. Power to the people!”
Meanwhile, @syedddsolehin remarked, “It does not matter whether it is Pakatan Harapan (PH) or Perikatan Nasional (PN) in power. We, the citizens, stay the same, left to accept whatever decisions are made on our behalf.”
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