SHAH ALAM, 16 FEB: The Government has been urged to immediately release Australian Independent Senator, Nick Xenophon, who was detained at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal (LCCT) this morning and the allow him to enter the country without hindrance.
Opposition Leader, Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim in a media statement said that Nick Xenophon’s detention violates international protocol.
“I strongly condemn the detaining of Australian senator, Nick Xenophon at the LCCT, for allegedly being a threat to national security and labelling him as an enemy of the state, all of which statements were baseless.
“I reminded the Prime Minister, (Datuk Seri) Najib Razak that he does not have the right to treat guests as enemies of the state just because they are critical towards Umno’s administration.
“Malaysia is not owned by Umno. It belongs to Malaysians regardless of the political affiliation,” Anwar said sternly.
According to Anwar, Xenophon who expressed concern over the upcoming elections, did not violate any laws or threatened national security.
“Furthermore, he was accompanied by Australian lawmakers to talk to us, as well as officer of the Election Commission. This no reason to blacklist him,” he said.
According to Anwar, detaining and deporting Nick Xenophon was politically motivated and is a form of power abuse.
Nick Xenophon was part of a four-member delegation from Australia that took the initiative to review the electoral system of Malaysia.
Three other members of the delegation was Member of Parliament Mal Washer, Senator John Williams and Steve Georganas.
The delegation was scheduled to meet with Anwar on Monday, the Election Commission (EC) and Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department, Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz on Tuesday, as well as other NGOs and members of parliament from the opposition.