KUALA LUMPUR, July 24 — Perkasa chief Datuk Ibrahim Ali today criticised Putrajaya for barring two opposition MPs from leaving the country, saying the move tarnished Malaysia’s image and was disrespectful of the duo’s position as federal lawmakers.

Ibrahim said the authorities are obliged to recognise them as members of the country’s highest law-making body, which carries certain privileges that must be respected even though the duo have been very critical of the government.

“I don’t think it is right for them to do that. Doing that will not help improve Malaysia’s image,” Ibrahim, who is former Pasir Mas MP, told reporters at the NGO’s office here.

“They are members of Parliament. Even though I don’t agree with their views, people know me and DAP are archrivals, but we must recognise that they are Members of Parliament,” he added.

DAP Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua was stopped by the Immigration Department on Wednesday from leaving to Yogyakarta, Indonesia, without any explanation.

PKR Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli said later the same day that he has been flagged by the department.

Although no reason was given for the ban, Pua was alleged to be among those who met former PetroSaudi International (PSI) executive Xavier Justo in Singapore to purchase leaked and allegedly tampered documents the Middle-Eastern firm’s abortive deal with 1 Malaysia Development Bhd.

Pua has denied this and shown his passport to prove he did not travel to Singapore at the material time. He also said he will file a legal challenge of the ban.

Justo is currently under arrest in Thailand where he is facing charges of blackmail.