KUALA LUMPUR – Controversial graphic designer Fahmi Reza has successfully renewed his passport after previously claiming that he had been blacklisted in the Immigration Department’s system.
Taking to Twitter to announce the news, Fahmi thanked staff at the Putrajaya Immigration Department security and passport division for their help, adding that an officer involved had expressed their support of his work.
Akhirnya dengan bantuan kakitangan dan pegawai Bahagian Keselamatan dan Pasport Jabatan Imigresen Putrajaya, aku dah berjaya renew pasport aku! Pegawai imigresen tu bagitahu aku, "Aku suka apa yang kau buat. Teruskan berkarya". ?? pic.twitter.com/LYeyzFmp73
— Fahmi Reza (@kuasasiswa) May 9, 2022
“The immigration officer told me ‘I like what you do. Keep working’,” he claimed.
Last month, the dauntless artist, known for his cutting satirical images, alleged in a post on Twitter that instructions restricting him from leaving the country had been issued by the Bukit Aman police headquarters.
He had said then that he was seeking clearance from police as he has to travel to Europe this month for a theatre performance he is involved in.
“If a criminal who has been convicted and has 42 corruption charges can get clearance to go abroad, I hope Bukit Aman can give me the same permission as well.
“Don’t practice double standards,” he said, without naming any individual.
Notably, the Court of Appeal had in October allowed former prime minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak to use his passport temporarily, allowing him to travel to Singapore for the birth of his grandchild.
The court previously held the former Umno president’s passport while hearing his bid to quash his conviction and sentencing in the RM42 million SRC International Sdn Bhd corruption case.
On April 14, Fahmi was arrested after being questioned by authorities over an art piece depicting an ape donned in a yellow outfit with emblems and a headdress.
Earlier, on February 10, Fahmi had claimed trial to one charge of uploading offensive material online with the intention to annoy or offend.
The charge was over a caricature Fahmi allegedly uploaded on social media that resembled former health minister Datuk Seri Dr Adham Baba. – The Vibes, May 9, 2022
