PKR deputy president Azmin Ali condemned the decision to bar Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah from leaving the country on Sunday night.

Azmin said the decision was "arbitrary" and "politically-motivated".

"Undoubtedly, such arbitrary action by the Najib administration is politically-motivated and indicative of a government drunk on power with absolutely no regard for democratic accountability.

"We demand that Maria’s constitutional right to travel abroad be restored immediately," he said in a statement.

He said this was yet another example of the government's "arrogance", and a disregard of the law.

Maria was barred from passing through the immigration gates at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport to board her flight to South Korea.

No reason was given, Maria said.

She was travelling to South Korea to receive the Gwanju Human Rights Prize on the electoral watchdog's behalf.

She said she had prior to the May 7 Sarawak polls travelled to New York and Geneva without issues.

Maria was, however, barred by the Sarawak government from entering the state.