Malaysian Politician Defends Xenophon Deportation

Malaysian politician defends Xenophon deportation

Updated 19 February 2013, 11:31 AEST

A Malaysian political party says Australian Independent Senator Nick Xenophon deserved to be deported for trying to interfere in the country's domestic affairs.

Australian independent MP Nick Xenophon has been refused entry to Malaysia after being invited to the country by the democracy group Bersih. The treatment of Senator Xenaphon comes amidst political tension in Malaysia, where Prime Minister Najib Razak must call an election before the end of April. (Credit: ABC) 

 

A Malaysian political party says an Australian politician deserved to be deported for trying to interfere in the country's domestic affairs.

Senator Nick Xenophon was detained on arrival at Kuala Lumpur airport at the weekend and told he posed a security threat before being sent out of the country.
Back in Australia, the senator, an independent in parliament, told Radio Australia's Pacific Mornings his deportation is curious, "given that I was to meet a senior government minister and the election commission with some of my colleagues."

 

Audio: Nick Xenophon talks to Radio Australia (ABC News)

"Clearly there are some in the Malaysian Government who are very worried about the forthcoming elections," he added.

Senator Xenophon had travelled to Malaysia with other Australian parliamentarians at the invitation of the Malaysian transparency and electoral reform group Bersih, or "Clean".
"So we weren't being interfering Australians."

But Malaysia's Gerakan Party, part of the ruling coalition, has defended the decision to deport Senator Xenophon.

I fully agree with his deportation, we do not welcome him in Malaysia.
He should not have interfered with the political scenario in Malaysia.
I think he has to mind his own business.

Tan Keng Liang, the Gerakan Party's youth chief in Kedah state

The party's youth chief in Kedah state, Tan Keng Liang, has told Radio Australia's Asia Pacific that Malaysia is not a dictatorship and does not need lessons on democracy from an Australian politician.
"In the past, we noted that Mr Xenophon had supported the movement of Bersih," he said.

"Bersih has held a street demonstration last year, which ended up as a violent street demonstration, and has caused severe injuries to Malaysians and destruction of public property.

"Therefore, I have no objection in our government in deporting Mr Xenophon."
Mr Tan, who is also a practicing lawyer, says Senator Xenophon should have been told in advance he was not welcome.

Audio: Deportation in line with Malaysian laws: Gerakan Party (ABC News)

"I think that the Malaysian Government may have made a mistake - they should have informed Mr Nick Xenophon that he was not welcome in Malaysia in advance," he said.

"That I believe is a mistake. But I have no issue - and I fully agree - with his deportation, we do not welcome him in Malaysia.

"He should not have interfered with the political scenario in Malaysia. I think he has to mind his own business."

'Unusual circumstance'

The South Australian senator had been about to join a delegation which had meetings planned with Malaysian opposition members and officials from the electoral commission ahead of this year's national election.

Instead he was detained, in a move Australia's Foreign Minister Bob Carr has described as sad and disappointing.

The Australian Opposition's foreign affairs spokeswoman, Julie Bishop, says it was "unusual" for Malaysia to detain an Australian senator.

Ms Bishop says Australia must ensure it maintains a strong relationship with its close neighbour.
"It's clearly a very unusual circumstance for an Australian member of parliament to be denied entry to Malaysia and we do await a full explanation from the Malaysian Government," she said.

Malaysian MP Nurrul Izzah Anwar, who is the daughter of Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, has criticised the decision to deport Senator Xenophon and his delegation from Malaysia.

Ms Nurrul Izzah told Australia Network's Newsline that his visit was aimed at strengthening democracy in Malaysia, and he had "not broken any Malaysian laws."

"What's wrong with having an Australian senator, legislator, coming to Malaysia to observe the electoral system," the vice president of the Opposition PKR said.

"If [President Najib Razak] has nothing to hide, then he should not stop Senator Xenophon or anyone else from coming into Malaysia."

Senator Xenophon, who is outspoken on human rights issues in Malaysia, told a media conference back in Australia he was relieved to be home.

 

Video: Malaysian opposition PKR (Newsline)

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

Radio Australia: Xenophon Home After Malaysia Deportation

Xenophon home after Malaysia deportation

Updated 17 February 2013, 14:08 AEST

 

Independent senator Nick Xenophon believes an order to expel him from Malaysia came from the highest levels of the country's government.

Independent Nick Xenophon has arrived in Melbourne after his deportation from Malaysia, saying he believes his advocacy of democracy led to the Malaysian government's decision to refuse him entry. (Credit: ABC) 

Federal independent senator Nick Xenophon has arrived back in Australia after being deported from Malaysia.

Senator Xenophon was taken into custody at Kuala Lumpur airport yesterday, and told he was banned from entering the country because he had been deemed a security threat.

Senator Xenophon, who is outspoken on human rights issues in Malaysia, boarded a flight home early this morning.

He arrived in Melbourne about 9.20am (AEDT), and told a media conference he was relieved to be home.

He said he planned to frame his deportation notice, and it would take "pride of place" in his office.
"I think [my family] are used to me getting in trouble, but nothing quite like this," he said.

"But I assured them I was in good hands, that the High Commissioner and his staff were simply outstanding in the support they gave me. I'm very grateful for that."
Senator Xenophon said he was "gobsmacked" when he was "taken away" and detained for nine hours.

I think [my family] are used to me getting in trouble, but nothing quite like this.

Nick Xenophon

"I was told that I was being deported under a certain section of the immigration act which basically relates to being a security risk," he said.

"But it seems the only risk I am is to embarrassing the Malaysian government because of my advocacy for clean elections in Malaysia."

Senator Xenophon says his lawyers believe the order came from the top.
"Their understanding is that this came from a level probably from the PM's office. That's speculation, but that's for the PM's office to confirm or deny," he said..

The South Australian senator had been about to join a delegation which had meetings planned with Malaysian opposition members and officials from the electoral commission ahead of this year's national election.

Instead he was detained, in a move Foreign Minister Bob Carr described as sad and disappointing.
Senator Carr says he has spoken to Dato Sri Anifah HJ Aman, his counterpart in Malaysia, and expressed his disappointment over the incident.

"He said Malaysia took strong objection to foreigners interfering in their election campaign. He said Malaysia's democracy did not appreciate this interference from a politician outside the country," Senator Carr said.

Former prime minister Kevin Rudd said the detainment was unacceptable and Australia should be robust in its response.

"We are robust about our democracy and therefore we should be robust in our response," he said.
"He's an elected member of the Australian Parliament and should be treated with the appropriate respect."

Former Greens leader Bob Brown said the deportation showed how close Malaysia was to a police state.

"We need more people from outside going to countries like Malaysia, which masquerade under the name of democracy, but lock up anybody who the government doesn't like," he said.

 

Video: Carr to seek explanation for Xenophon deportation (ABC News)

Senator Xenophon hopes the incident will put pressure on Malaysia, but does not think it will damage relations.
"Australia and Malaysia are the greatest of friends," he said.

"This shouldn't affect the relationship but I think if the Malaysian government thought that they were doing the smart thing, I think it spectacularly backfired on them.

"This was going to be a low-key visit ... none of you would have heard about.

"But if it means more Australians in the region are aware of how dire and critical the state of Malaysian democracy is and how Malaysian democracy is at the crossroads, then that unambiguously is a good thing."

He said he did not know how long he would be classified as a security threat.
"I've been told I'm now on a watch list, which is fairly ominous, and that I am on a do not enter list for an indefinite period," he said.

"I don't know how many years or decades it will be before I can set foot in the Malaysian airport."

Video: Xenophon says he's been put on Malaysia's watch list (7pm TV News NSW)

Nationals Senator John Williams, Labor MP Steve Georganas, and Liberal MP Mal Washer were also part of the delegation with Senator Xenophon, but have now pulled out.
Malaysia's director-general of immigration, Alias Ahmad, said Senator Xenophon had been denied entry for breaking the law on a previous visit.

Mr Ahmad said in a government statement that "Malaysia is a free and democratic country, but no-one is above the law".

The Senator was invited to Malaysia on a fact-finding mission last year by opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim.

During his stay he observed one of the country's biggest street demonstrations for electoral reform in decades.
He later criticised the government's handling of the rally and what he described as biased coverage by state media.

Mr Ibrahim has criticised the decision to deport Senator Xenophon.

"This reflects the desperation of the authorities, the ruling government, to silence critics and not to allow the international community to observe the ... fraudulent process of the election," he said.
But international relations expert Amrita Malhi said it was not surprising that Malaysia saw Senator Xenophon as a risk to its electoral security and autonomy.

She said Malaysia - once colonised by outsiders - was particularly sensitive towards foreign involvement.

"It makes it possible, I guess, for the government to argue to a certain constituency, 'we're protecting our autonomy and sovereignty by deporting this meddling foreigner', so I think that's probably how it's meant to play," she said.

But the president of the Malaysian Bar Council, Lee Chee Wee, says there is no reason why the senator should have been deported.

He described it as a senseless and stupid act.

"I think the prime minister, who has high aspirations that Malaysia's a modern democracy, must realise that aspiration must be followed by action," he said.

Senator Xenophon was also a part of an observer group that published a report on the Malaysian electoral system last April.

He is currently pursuing a defamation case against government-backed media in Malaysia that misattributed a speech he gave on Scientology to the word of Islam.

 

Video: Malaysia expert Clive Kessler discusses Nick Xenophon's deportation (ABC News)

Topics:

• Australia
• Federal Government
• Foreign Affairs
• Malaysia
• SA
• VIC

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

Australia Seeking "Full Explanation" From Malaysia On Xenophon

Xenophon detained at Malaysian airport

Updated 16 February 2013, 21:04 AEST

 

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon is expected to be deported from Malaysia tonight after being detained at Kuala Lumpur airport.

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has been detained by authorities in Malaysia after being told he was a security risk. (Credit: ABC) 

Federal independent Senator Nick Xenophon has been detained by Malaysian authorities after being told he was a security risk.

He was taken into custody on his arrival at Kuala Lumpur airport about 10:00am (AEDT).
Senator Xenophon, who is outspoken on human rights issues in Malaysia, is under escort and is expected to be put on a flight to Melbourne about 10.30pm (local time) tonight.

The South Australian senator had been about to join a delegation which had meetings planned with Malaysian opposition members and officials from the electoral commission ahead of this year's national election.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr said it appeared that Senator Xenophon was detained under Malaysia's national security laws.

Senator Carr said he would be seeking an explanation from the Malaysian government.
"We're expressing our disappointment, we're seeking a full explanation of this," he said.

"We think for a friendly country to do this is quite a sad thing."
Nationals Senator John Williams, Labor MP Steve Georganas, and Liberal MP Mal Washer were also part of the delegation, but have now pulled out.

"Malaysia is due to have elections here very soon. I think the Australian Government has been incredibly silent about some of the abuses that have been occurring here in terms of the way the democratic system runs or doesn't run," Senator Xenophon told ABC News 24.

"And what we were trying to ascertain with members of both the Coalition and the Government was to how free and fair the elections are likely to be.

"But at this stage I've been told that I'm not allowed entry and I have to be on the next flight back home."

'Orders from above'

Senator Xenophon said immigration officials had been "incredibly polite" but told him they had "orders from above" to detain him.

He said he had not expected to be detained.

"I just find it extraordinary. I've been here before [and] I've made statements about the state of Malaysian democracy previously," he said.

"But on this occasion clearly someone high up in the Malaysian government doesn't want me here."
Senator Xenophon was caught up in anti-government protests in Malaysia during a fact-finding mission in 2012.

He was also in Malaysia last year to observe the trial of opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, who was acquitted of sodomy charges.

"I became involved in this cause when the opposition leader [Anwar] Ibrahim came to Australia in 2010," Senator Xenophon said.

"He met with a number of MPs [and] I undertook to keep an eye on the trial he was facing, which he was subsequently acquitted of."

Senator Xenophon was also a part of an observer group that published a report on the Malaysian electoral system last April.

He is currently pursuing a defamation case against government-backed media in Malaysia that misattributed a speech he gave on Scientology to the word of Islam.

Senator Williams told ABC News 24 it was important for Australian politicians to build relationships with their Malaysian counterparts.

He said a formal protest to Malaysia risked "pouring petrol on the fire", and the delegation may look at travelling to Malaysia in the coming weeks.

"I don't think it is a big issue. They have their reasons why they stopped him at the airport," he said.
"I am sure these can be talked through in time and I don't see any reason why we would want to add fuel to the fire on this issue.

"It will settle in a few weeks' time and we will look at whether we can make a visit then."

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!

BBC: Malaysia Detains Aussie Senator

BBC ONLINE 16 February 2013 Last updated at 08:46 GMT

Malaysia detains Australia senator Nick Xenophon

Mr Xenophon has been an outspoken critic of the human rights situation in Malaysia

 

An Australian senator on a fact-finding mission to Malaysia says he has been refused entry because authorities consider him a "security risk".
Nick Xenophon was detained at Kuala Lumpur airport on Saturday morning and will be deported back to Australia, correspondents say.

He was part of an Australian delegation scheduled to meet Malaysian officials to discuss upcoming elections.

Mr Xenophon has been an outspoken critic of human rights in Malaysia.

The independent senator from South Australia was taken into custody at Kuala Lumpur airport on Saturday morning and detained apparently under Malaysia's national security laws, the BBC's Nick Bryant reports from Sydney.

Immigration officials were polite but acting under orders "from above", Mr Xenophon told reporters.
"I was told I am a security risk and I can't be allowed into the country. It's bizarre and extraordinary," the senator said.

"I've been here before [and] I've made statements about the state of Malaysian democracy previously. But on this occasion clearly someone high up in the Malaysian government doesn't want me here."

Authorities advised Mr Xenophon he would deported on the next available flight to Australia.

"They have basically told me I am an enemy of the state. They are trying to get me on the next plane out of here and back home," he told the Australian Sunday Mail newspaper by phone.
 

'Disappointing' Mr Xenophon had flown to Malaysia as part of an Australian parliamentary fact-finding mission to assess whether forthcoming elections would be free and fair, our correspondent says.
The delegation was scheduled to hold talks with several Malaysian parties, including opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and officials from the election commission.

A regular visitor to the country, Mr Xenophon last year observed the trial of Mr Ibrahim, who was acquitted on sodomy charges.

Mr Xenophon was also caught up in anti-government protests and reportedly tear-gassed by riot police at a demonstration in Kuala Lumpur demanding democratic reforms in April last year.
Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr said his government was seeking Mr Xenophon's immediate release and had raised the issue with the Malaysian government.

"Senator Xenophon's detention is a surprising and disappointing act from a country with which Australia routinely maintains strong diplomatic relations," Mr Carr said.

"Our High Commissioner Miles Kupa has now made direct contact with Senator Xenophon at the airport and is seeking his release."

Other members of the Australian delegation have now pulled out, our correspondent says.
Malaysian authorities have not commented on the senator's arrest.

More on This Story

Related Stories

• Malaysia deports tweet row Saudi
  12 FEBRUARY 2012, ASIA
• Malaysia profile
  10 OCTOBER 2012, ASIA-PACIFIC

From other news sites

• Al Jazeera Malaysia set to deport Australian senator 35 mins ago

• NEWS.com.au Xenophon awaits deportation from Malaysia 1 hr ago

• Bloomberg Malaysia to Expel Australian Lawmaker Ahead of Anwar Meeting 2 hrs ago

• Deutsche Welle Malaysia detains critical Australian senator Xenophon 2 hrs ago

• Australian Financial Review* Xenophon to be deported from Malaysia 6 hrs ago

PET+BLOGSPOT is the ONLINE BLOG of the Malaysian Animal-Assisted Therapy for the Disabled and Elderly Association or Petpositive. Our stories are CURRENT, ACCURATE and RELIABLE. We offer both local and foreign news on animals, disability and the elderly. PET+BLOGSPOT was first established in October 2007. Our hits since then are now 150,000 and ever increasing! PET+BLOGSPOT is updated daily. Kindly note that views expressed in PET+BLOGSPOT are not necessarily those of PETPOSITIVE. You may also visit our Webpage by browsing: www.petpositive.com.my You can also find us in Facebook under PETPOSITIVE EMPOWERMENT. Please sign up as a FOLLOWER of this Blog if you haven't done so already in order to show us your kind support for our work. Thank you!