Sex blogger's ex-girlfriend discouraged him from jumping bail

Malaysian sex blogger Alvin Tan has surfaced in the US after jumping bail earlier this year, and his ex-girlfriend says she had discouraged him from doing so.

Mr Tan and his partner Vivian Lee (left), known online as Alvivi, gained notoriety by posting their sex photos and videos online.

Mr Tan, 26, was supposed to have returned his passport to Malaysian police on June 3, after a trip to Singapore in May to film a documentary.

On his Facebook profile, he changed his status to say "Lives in Los Angeles, California" where he is seeking asylum.

In a post on Saturday, he wrote: "Musclin' up at Venice Beach with mi hermano de otro madre, King Kong Kemet!"

Venice Beach is in California.

He had earlier indicated that he had been in Seattle, Washington.

Both Mr Tan and Ms Lee claimed trial last year to three charges under the Film Censorship Act, Sedition Act and Penal Code.

The pair, who shot to fame with their now-defunct Sumptuous Erotica sex blog, also drew public outrage for an insensitive "Ramadan greeting" that was posted on their blog last year.

They regained temporary possession of their passports on May 18, but only Ms Lee showed up on June 3 to return her travel document.

NOT SURPRISED

A Malaysian Sessions Court has issued a warrant of arrest for Mr Tan and forfeited his RM20,000 (S$7,775) bail after he failed to return his passport on Aug 22.

In an interview with The Star, Ms Lee, who used to be Mr Tan's girlfriend, said she is "not surprised" that he had jumped bail and sought asylum in the US. He had suggested the idea of seeking political asylum briefly once," she said. "He didn't discuss his plan with me further."

Added Ms Lee in a Facebook message to The Star Online yesterday: "He can pursue his dreams and resume his conquests in the US without any baggage."

She said she was against the idea of absconding.

"I don't see the point of living a life on the run. We still have a full life ahead of us, and the life as a fugitive wouldn't suit me.

"I was brought up by my parents to face and deal with any issue in front of us, and running away whenever there's trouble isn't a wise approach," said the 25-year old Lee.

Meanwhile, Malaysian police will go all out to bring Mr Tan back, even if he is seeking political asylum in the US, said Malaysia's Inspector General of Police Khalid Abu Bakar.

Mr Khalid was reported as saying that Mr Tan was rude and could not be forgiven because he had shamed some the Malaysian leaders with his offensive pictures and status posts on his Facebook account.

"He thinks he can run. But every country has its own regulations and we will not give up looking for him," The Malaysian Insider quoted Mr Khalid as saying.

Police have opened investigations into the case, according to the liberal news portal.

This article was first published on Sep 30, 2014.
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