The Bersih leader was stopped for about 10 minutes by immigration officers without giving any reason.
PETALING JAYA: Much to her chagrin, Bersih co-chairperson was stopped by Immigration Department officers at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport last night.
The former Bar Council president told FMT that she was stopped at the auto-gate for about 10 minutes.
And when she questioned their reason for doing so, Ambiga, who was to board a flight to Australia, said the officers could not provide an answer.
The Bersih leader was convinced that it was nothing short of deliberate harassment on the part of the authorities.
“I see no rational basis for the way in which Bersih steering committee members are being treated. This is harassment, pure and simple,” she added in a text message.
On a lighter note, Ambiga, who has become a household name after spearheading two mammoth protests for electoral reforms, also dismissed the possibility that the immigration officers were deliberating on whether to request for an autograph.
Ambiga was the fifth Bersih steering committee member to be stopped by immigration officers while travelling overseas.
Last week, Bersih steering committee member Andrew Khoo was also stopped on his way to Bangkok.
Steering committee members Maria Chin Abdullah, Yeo Yang Poh and Wong Chin Huat had also been subjected to similar treatment in September.
It was also reported that Khoo was stopped again when returning from Bangkok last night.
Speaking to FMT on the harassment, Wong said such acts of intimidation would not deter the spirit of Bersih’s leaders.
“Let the government do what it wants and bear the consequences. Intimidating us will not work as we are not afraid. But we want the Malaysian public to know what is happening.
“And if [Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein] does not understand what democracy is, then the people of Malaysia should send a strong message to him and his party in the next polls,” he said.
PETALING JAYA: Much to her chagrin, Bersih co-chairperson was stopped by Immigration Department officers at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport last night.The former Bar Council president told FMT that she was stopped at the auto-gate for about 10 minutes.
And when she questioned their reason for doing so, Ambiga, who was to board a flight to Australia, said the officers could not provide an answer.
The Bersih leader was convinced that it was nothing short of deliberate harassment on the part of the authorities.
“I see no rational basis for the way in which Bersih steering committee members are being treated. This is harassment, pure and simple,” she added in a text message.
On a lighter note, Ambiga, who has become a household name after spearheading two mammoth protests for electoral reforms, also dismissed the possibility that the immigration officers were deliberating on whether to request for an autograph.
Ambiga was the fifth Bersih steering committee member to be stopped by immigration officers while travelling overseas.
Last week, Bersih steering committee member Andrew Khoo was also stopped on his way to Bangkok.
Steering committee members Maria Chin Abdullah, Yeo Yang Poh and Wong Chin Huat had also been subjected to similar treatment in September.
It was also reported that Khoo was stopped again when returning from Bangkok last night.
Speaking to FMT on the harassment, Wong said such acts of intimidation would not deter the spirit of Bersih’s leaders.
“Let the government do what it wants and bear the consequences. Intimidating us will not work as we are not afraid. But we want the Malaysian public to know what is happening.
“And if [Home Minister Hishammuddin Hussein] does not understand what democracy is, then the people of Malaysia should send a strong message to him and his party in the next polls,” he said.
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