PUTRAJAYA: Blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin has been told to not play victim following claims that he was banned by the government from returning to Malaysia.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said as a citizen, Raja Petra is welcome to return to the country but must go through the proper channels and procedures.
Saifuddin added that the blogger could directly contact him if he wishes to officially return to Malaysia.
"First of all, why is Raja Petra in Manchester? It is because he is running from a court case (against him), he lost, so he ran.
"If he returns, he needs to follow the proper procedure. He is a Malaysian, he must have the proper travelling documentation.
"Hence, he can directly write to me if he misses the country very much. After all, he is a citizen, he just needs to do the right thing," he said during an interview with the media, yesterday.
Previously, Raja Petra had accused the government of banning him from returning to Malaysia following accusations that he was a 'coward' for fleeing out of the country to avoid court action.
He also claimed that he had tried multiple ways to return to the country since 2013, including having a negotiation with Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi who was then the deputy prime minister under the administration of Datuk Seri Najib Razak.
Saifuddin said the controversial blogger can submit an official application if the main issue faced by the latter not being able to return to Malaysia was due to the cancellation of travel documentation or restriction order imposed against him.
"Either he wants to 'play victim' or whatever his intention is, the legal way is to deal with the home ministry, not the youth and sports ministry or the agriculture ministry.
"However, the question is whether he has submitted the letter. Who (is the officer) in Bukit Aman that he contacted?
"So, don't play victim Raja Petra. If you genuinely want to come back, you are welcome to do so," he said.
