KUALA LUMPUR – Graphic artist and political satirist Fahmi Reza received what he called an “unforgettable birthday present” today after discovering he was barred from leaving the country.
Fahmi, who was scheduled to board a 9.35am flight to Singapore from KLIA to watch performances by two of his favourite punk bands, was stopped at the immigration checkpoint and taken to the department’s temporary office. There, an officer informed him they were checking for a travel control order (TCO).
According to Fahmi, he was asked to provide photocopies of his passport, identity card, flight ticket, and boarding pass – which he did hastily in an attempt to make his flight – but was eventually told that Bukit Aman had issued a directive preventing him from travelling.
“I asked why, and he replied: You have to ask Bukit Aman,” Fahmi wrote in a Facebook post.
“He escorted me out of the international departure area, preventing me from taking the flight overseas. What was my mistake? Only Bukit Aman and the Madani government can answer.”
This marks the second travel restriction imposed on Fahmi in less than a fortnight. On May 29, he was deported from Sabah after being denied entry upon arrival at Kota Kinabalu International Airport.
The incident followed the circulation of a satirical illustration of Sabah Governor Tun Musa Aman, which reportedly angered several parties in the state. Fahmi was subsequently arrested and investigated under the Sedition Act, the Communications and Multimedia Act (CMA), and the Penal Code.
In his statement, Fahmi said his artwork merely criticised Musa’s appointment and the federal government.
“I was blacklisted and banned from entering Sabah, and this week, I have been blacklisted again (where I am) being barred from flying overseas.
“Thank you to Bukit Aman and the Madani government for an unforgettable birthday present,” he quipped. – June 7, 2025.