Parliament: 488,787 Malaysians barred from leaving country due to various reasons

Up to Oct 19 this year, a total of 488,787 Malaysians have been barred from leaving the country due to various reasons, according to the Home Ministry.

In a written reply circulated in the Dewan Rakyat Wednesday, the ministry said among the reasons were court order, not settling income tax, not paying bank loans and National Higher Education Fund (PTPTN) loans.

The ministry said the government at both the federal and state levels had the power to issue a directive banning individuals going and entering for reasons that could harm the stability and well-being of the Malaysians concerned.

It was in response to a question from M. Kulasegaran (DAP-Ipoh Barat), who wanted to know the number of people, including Members of Parliament, who had been barred by the government from going abroad and reasons for the ban.

However the ministry said the Immigration Department did not keep records on the basis of the details of an individual's career, whether they were elected representatives or otherwise.

The ministry said the number of individuals being blacklisted would change from time to time based on directives from the related agencies.

"Any individuals who have doubts and wish to check their status can use the online checking system at the Immigration Department's website," added the ministry.