Malaysia may bar overseas travel for citizens who insult govt: report

Kuala Lumpur

MALAYSIA has begun enforcing a law that allows the authorities to bar citizens who insult the government from travelling overseas, The Star newspaper reported.

Under the law, Malaysians may be banned from going abroad for three years for discrediting or ridiculing the government, and immigration officials started applying the rule several months ago, the paper said, citing a person it didn't identify. Sakib Kusmi, director general for the immigration department, confirmed the legal provisions to the paper. A spokesman for the authority didn't immediately respond to a call seeking comment.