THE Kuala Lumpur High Court today adjourned to November 16 the hearing on a judicial review by cartoonist Zulkiflee Anwar Ulhaque, known as Zunar, to challenge an overseas travel ban that has been imposed on him since last year.

Judge Azizah Nawawi deferred the hearing after Latheefa Koya, representing Zunar, sought an adjournment on the ground that lead counsel Gopal Sri Ram was not available.

The travel ban was imposed on October 17 last year, when Zunar was barred from boarding a flight to attend a forum at the National University of Singapore.

No reason was given for the ban.

Zunar filed  legal challenge on December 7, naming director-general of Immigration, the home minister and the Malaysian government as respondents in the application.

On April 14, the court granted Zunar’s application for leave for judicial review case to challenge the travel restriction issued against him by the department.

Travel bans have also been imposed on Petaling Jaya Utara MP Tony Pua and Bersih 2.0 chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah. Both have challenged the bans

In July, an appeals court judge ruled against Pua, declaring  that a passport was “a privilege” accorded by the government.

The government also has “absolute discretion” in imposing travel bans, the court ruled.

Last week, Zunar’s book, Sapuman: Man of Steal, was banned by the authorities.

This was Zunar’s 10th book to be banned. – October 13, 2017.