Who’s On The Travel Ban List, Who’s Not, And Who’s No Longer In Malaysia
Checks on the Immigrations Department's website reveal that some 1MDB critics and political activists have been barred from leaving the country. Meanwhile, those directly involved with and being investigated under 1MDB are still free to travel, with some believed to have left Malaysia.
Cover image via SAYS.comON THE TRAVEL BAN LIST:
1. Tony Pua, Petaling Jaya Utara MP and member of the Democratic Action Party (DAP), withheld from flight to Jakarta on 22 July 2015
Being investigated under Section 124 of the Penal Code for alleged activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
Image via The Malay Mail Online
2. Rafizi Ramli, Pandan MP; Vice-President and Secretary-General of Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) is barred from travelling to Sarawak, not Sabah and overseas
Being investigated under Section 124 of the Penal Code for alleged activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy.
Image via The Malaysian Insider
3. Datuk Tong Kooi Ong, The Edge Media Group owner
Image via The Malaysian Insider
Pua, Rafizi, and Tong are being investigated under Section 124 of the Penal Code for alleged activities detrimental to parliamentary democracy, possibly in relation to the controversial 1Malaysia Development Berhad (1MDB).
4. Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan, co-chairperson of the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih 2.0), but only restricted from travelling to East Malaysia
Image via ANUchannel
5. Maria Chin Abdullah, chairperson of Bersih 2.0 and executive director of Empower Malaysia
Image via The Malay Mail Online
6. Tian Chua (Chua Tian Chang), Batu MP and vice president of PKR, barred from leaving Peninsular Malaysia
Image via The Malaysian Insider
7. Teresa Kok, Seputeh MP and vice-chairperson of DAP, barred from travelling to East Malaysia
Image via The Malaysian Insider
8. Hishamuddin Rais, political and social activist and owner of satirical blog Tukar Tiub
Image via The Rakyat Post
9. Adam Adli Abdul Halim, student activist, is restricted from entering Sabah since 2013
Image via Choo Choy May / The Malay Mail Online
10. Nik Faisal Ariff Kamil, managing director of SRC International Sdn Bhd and former chief investment officer of 1MDB. He has been summoned to appear before the special task force investigating 1MDB for questioning.
Image via Sarawak Report
However, it has been reported that Nik Faisal could not be located by the 1MDB task force and is believed to have left the country.
Two others who are required to assist in providing information about the transfer of funds related to SRC (a former subsidiary of 1MDB) and PM Najib Razak's private banking accounts are also believed to be NO LONGER IN MALAYSIA:
1. Datuk Suboh Mohd Yassin, one of the directors of SRC International Sdn. Bhd.
Image via Linkages
2. Jho Low, Hong Kong-based Malaysian businessman who has been accused of siphoning billions from 1MDB by brokering a joint venture deal between 1MDB and PetroSaudi
Image via Sam Tsang / South China Morning Post
However, several key figures who are directly involved with 1MDB are, strangely, NOT on the no-fly list:
1. Datuk Seri Najib Razak, prime minister of Malaysia, Finance Minister, and chairman of 1MDB's board of advisers. The Wall Street Journal recently ran an exposé alleging that RM2.6 billion had been channelled from 1MDB into Najib's personal bank accounts.
Image via Reuters
2. Datuk Shahrol Azral Ibrahim Halmi, the founding managing director and CEO of 1MDB until March 2013
Image via The Star Online
3. Arul Kanda Kandasamy, current President and Group Executive Director of 1MDB
Image via Reuters
4. Tan Sri Lodin Wok Kamaruddin, chairman of 1MDB's Board of Directors and key member of Affin Bank Berhad's Board of Director.
Image via The Malaysian Insider
Former prime minister Tun Mahathir, who has been accused of masterminding a plot to oust Najib from the PM's seat, is still free to travel
Image via Nasionalis
