Immigration director-general Sakib Kusmi says he is empowered by the law to decide whether or not government critics can leave the country.

Thus, he said, the ban list was based on his own discretion, as well as the advice of other enforcement agencies.

"For example, if the police say someone is dangerous, even though it (the matter) has not gone to court yet, we can take action," he said when met at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport today.