KUALA LUMPUR, Jan 7 ― Electoral reforms pressure group Bersih 2.0 announced today it will proceed with its “Yellow Mania” open forum scheduled for tonight, hours after its guest speaker, Indonesian activist Mugiyanto Sipin was reportedly refused entry into Malaysia.

Bersih 2.0 chairman Maria Chin Abdullah said the group learnt Mugiyanto was detained after landing at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA) earlier today before he was sent back to his home country just hours ago.

“At 12pm, Bersih 2.0 has been informed that our guest speaker was detained at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport... he was scheduled to speak at our forum tonight in conjunction with the ‘Yellow Mania’ festival,” Chin said.

“We will try ensure his attendance tonight through Skype,” she added.

She said Bersih 2.0 will set another date if Mugiyanto was still unable to attend the forum later tonight through Skype.

Mugiyanto was a former student activist during the administration of Indonesia’s second president Suharto. He is now a member of the International NGO Forum on Indonesian Development.

Mugiyanto later spoke briefly to reporters via phone on his ordeal here and claimed that a Twitter user had alerted the Malaysian police on his arrival.

“Before this, someone tagged me and PDRM on Twitter about my involvement with the forum. They told PDRM not to allow me to come to Malaysia,” he said, using the Malay initials for the Royal Malaysian Police.

“The discussion with police is not terrifying, there were about seven to eight officers with me. But they told me that they were informed that my activity is political activity and Malaysia does not allow foreigners to come and speak politics here,” he added.

Bersih 2.0’s “Yellow Mania” festival kick started today at Kuala Lumpur Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall (KLSCAH).

The five-day festival is set to take place with a variety of activities, including movie screenings, a photography exhibition and even a children’s programme.