Australian senator to be deported
Source: Agencies |
February 17, 2013, Sunday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
MALAYSIAN authorities will deport an Australian senator after refusing him entry yesterday over what it said was his participation in an illegal street rally for electoral reform in the Southeast Asian country last year.
The deportation of Senator Nick Xenophon is a sign of growing political sensitivity in Malaysia as the government braces for elections within months that are expected to be the closest in the former British colony's history.
Xenophon said he had been detained upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur early yesterday and refused entry because he was considered a "security risk" ahead of a visit to discuss an election with government and opposition officials.
"I was told I am a security risk and I can't be allowed into the country," Xenophon said. He said officials told him arrangements were being made for him to leave Malaysia on the next available flight. "It is bizarre and extraordinary."
The Malaysian government said the senator had been denied entry for breaking the law on a previous visit.
Xenophon was invited last year by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and observed a major street rally for electoral reform in April that ended in violence. He later criticized the government's handling of the rally and what he described as biased coverage by state media.
"Malaysia is a free and democratic country, but no one is above the law," Alias Ahmad, director-general of Malaysia's immigration department, said.
Prime Minister Najib Razak must call the election by the end of April. The poll is set to be the closest in Malaysia's history, with the opposition holding a chance of toppling the United Malays National Organization after 56 years in power.
The deportation of Senator Nick Xenophon is a sign of growing political sensitivity in Malaysia as the government braces for elections within months that are expected to be the closest in the former British colony's history.
Xenophon said he had been detained upon arrival in Kuala Lumpur early yesterday and refused entry because he was considered a "security risk" ahead of a visit to discuss an election with government and opposition officials.
"I was told I am a security risk and I can't be allowed into the country," Xenophon said. He said officials told him arrangements were being made for him to leave Malaysia on the next available flight. "It is bizarre and extraordinary."
The Malaysian government said the senator had been denied entry for breaking the law on a previous visit.
Xenophon was invited last year by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and observed a major street rally for electoral reform in April that ended in violence. He later criticized the government's handling of the rally and what he described as biased coverage by state media.
"Malaysia is a free and democratic country, but no one is above the law," Alias Ahmad, director-general of Malaysia's immigration department, said.
Prime Minister Najib Razak must call the election by the end of April. The poll is set to be the closest in Malaysia's history, with the opposition holding a chance of toppling the United Malays National Organization after 56 years in power.
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