KUALA LUMPUR: Blogger Alvin Tan, dubbed the sex blogger by the media, is in the news again for a “wrong” reason viz. rubbing Putrajaya the wrong way and treading on the toes of those in the corridors of power while apparently tucked away somewhere safe and sound in the United States where’s he’s still seeking “political asylum”.

Home Minister Ahmad Zahid Hamidi is toying with the idea of revoking his passport on the grounds that “it doesn’t belong to him”. He added that the Immigration Department has the power to revoke Tan’s passport “as the document was not an individual’s property”.

“We can do it today or Monday,” said Zahid on the sidelines of a visit to the Forestry Institute of Malaysia on Sun, and added as an afterthought. “We can do it as soon as possible.”

Earlier, Zahid touched on the Sedition Act and referred to Tan as well while speaking at a police event in Kepong.

“Breaking fast, we were insulted with the dish pork. If that person (Alvin Tan) dares to do it, why run away? Why hide? Should come forward and face the music,” said Zahid.

Tan, in an immediate response in social media, taunted Zahid: “Don’t just threaten. Just do it. Don’t be (a) coward.”

The passport issue arises from Tan allegedly condemning the Selangor Sultan, in social media on Fri, for stripping Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim earlier this week of a state award, one of nine similar titles that the de facto Pakatan Rakyat (PR) Chief has received from various states.

Tan allegedly added a provocative remark that the sultans and Umno leaders were alike and that he preferred to take care of stray dogs instead of helping to fund the sultans.

If Tan’s passport is revoked, Washington is duty-bound to return it. However, it will also trigger and expedite his application for political asylum in the US.

Loss of passport would not mean loss of citizenship. Tan would be eligible for a UN Travel document issued by US Immigration.

There are criminal charges pending against Tan, 26, and his former partner, Vivian Lee, 25, under the Sedition Act as well as the Film Censorship Act. They allegedly uploaded controversial content online including a photograph on Facebook deemed insulting to Islam.

Hindraf Makkal Chief P. Waythamoorthy had his passport revoked after a 25 Nov, 2007 uprising in the streets masterminded by the human rights movement. He was then flying into Britain after a visit to Europe. His passport was seized by British Immigration at Gatwick Airport but also triggered his application for political asylum, upon the advice of officials at Immigration Headquarters.

Waytha returned on a UN Travel Document, issued by British Immigration, just before the imminent General Elections last year via Singapore and Johore. He was then prepared to enter Malaysia at the Johore checkpoint, without a passport, since the UN document excludes travel to Malaysia.

His passport was returned to him at the Malaysian High Commission in Singapore but it’s not known whether he received the apology that he sought.

He was subsequently sworn in as a Senator and appointed a Deputy Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department after the General Elections last year but quit the senate, cabinet and government within months. Waytha was sworn in the same day that his elder brother, Hindraf legal advisor and de facto chief P. Uthayakumar, was jailed for sedition.