I called cic yesterday and the lady told me I am able to stay outside of Canada up to 3 years within any direct past 5 years from the examination date.
I guess the problem happening above is because the troubled immigrant had left Canada without a return permit BEFORE June. 28th, 2002 and came back AFTER June. 28th, 2002 staying outside over 6 months. And of course he had no Permanent Resident Card.