Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah has asked why she is barred from leaving the country, when Prime Minister Najib Razak is allowed to exit in the wake of his parliamentary responsibilities.

Najib has left for the UK despite calls for him to attend the Parliament sitting starting today to explain the growing 1MDB scandal.

“Not giving me a reason only goes to show their arrogance. Yet violators are allowed to freely leave the country,” said Maria in a statement today.

She said it is ironic she has been barred from exit to travel to South Korea to be honoured internationally with the Gwangju Prize for Human Rights Award.

Maria was stopped at the immigration gates of the KL International Airport yesterday.

“Ironically when Najib is supposed to be at Parliament answering crucial questions, he is allowed to travel.

“I am only going to Korea to receive a highly prestigious award which had been given to former East Timor prime minister Xanana Gusmão and present Myanmar (state counsellor) Ang Sang Su Kyi.

“Bersih demands that Najib, Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi and Immigration give an explanation to brave Malaysians on why we are denied from receiving the award,” she said.

Gov’t ‘arrogant’

Maria, who heads the coalition for free and fair elections, called the government “arrogant” for not giving her a reason for her travel ban.

“I don’t know why I am barred, and no explanation was given except that it came from Putrajaya.

“It's outrageous, and shows a desperate government clutching on to power when it should be accountable and engaging with the rakyat on key issues challenging this country.

“Constitutionally, Putrajaya has violated my freedom of movement. Not giving me a reason only goes to show their arrogance,” said the prominent civil society leader.