Malaysian government lost chance to arrest Doris Jones, says lawyer

KOTA KINABALU: Malaysian authorities lost a “golden opportunity” to arrest Doris Jones (pic) when they allowed her to walk out of the Malaysia High Commission in London, said Kota Kinabalu-based legal consultant Jeremiah Yee.

Yee said that the London-based Sabah secession advocate could have been arrested as soon as she stepped into the High Commission offices, as  it is legally Malaysian soil under international law.

“It would be a case of the Malaysian authorities arresting a Malaysian citizen on technically ‘Malaysian land’ for investigation into a crime allegedly committed in Malaysia,” said Yee.

Yee said that under international law, the compound within the gates and walls of the Malaysian High Commission in London is protected and inviolable

“Under international law. Jones could have been arrested and detained when she walked into the High Commission if she has an outstanding warrant of arrest against her,” said Yee.

He added that the Malaysian government could actually send police officers to London to interrogate and record her statement.

Yee said the Malaysian government could then set up a court inside the Malaysian High Commission by flying judges, prosecutors, defence lawyers, witnesses, and evidence there to try Jones.

“If convicted, a mini prison can also be arranged inside for her incarceration to serve out her sentence,’’ added Yee.

He said that under international law, the British authorities would be unable to rescue her.

Jones had gone to the High Commission office in London to renew her Malaysian passport in late September.

Her passport was not renewed but she was offered an emergency travel certificate to return to Malaysia.

Jones, who is from Labuan and has a permanent resident status in the UK, has since applied for the UK passport for travel purpose.

She is wanted by the Malaysian authorities to assist police investigation for a possible offence under the Malaysian Sedition Act 1948 and a warrant arrests has been issued but Interpol has turned down a police request for her arrests.

Jones had recently said that if there was a warrant of arrest for her, Malaysian authorities could have arrested her inside the Malaysian High Commission.