KUALA LUMPUR, Dec 10 — The home minister has stressed that the state acted within its powers when it revoked the passports two men who fled the country to escape prosecution for offences on sensitive matters, Utusan Malaysia reported amid sharp criticism of the decision.

On Monday, the Immigration Department under Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi’s ministry said it was revoking the passports of sex-blogger Alvin Tan and activist Ali Abd Jalil — who are both abroad seeking political asylum — “to serve as a warning to those who insult the courts, the rulers and Islam”.

Ali faces charges for insulting the monarchy while Tan is said to have have insulted Islam.

While  passports are an individual right the government has absolute powers over the document, Utusan reported Zahid as saying.

According to Utusan, the government has yet to decide to apply to extradite Tan and Ali from their current host countries US and Sweden.

In a separate report in the News Straits Times, Zahid said Malaysia is considering imposing fines on citizens who lose their passports.

“This move is important as the Malaysian passport is wanted by foreign fighters and drug syndicates as it allows an individual to travel to 163 countries without visas,” he was reported as saying.

He added that laws may have to be amended to make room for the changes.