Thailand yet to decide on Nur Sajat

Nur Sajat. -filepic

BANGKOK (Bernama): Thailand is considering whether to deport cosmetic entrepreneur Nur Sajat who was detained for illegal entry into the country.

"There are many procedures (to deport Nur Sajat back)... we have to follow the Immigration laws. Whether to send (her) back or not, it needs to be considered,” deputy commander and spokesman of the Immigration Bureau Pol Maj Gen Achayon Kraithong told Bernama when contacted.

However, Bernama was made to understand that Thai authorities have yet to receive an extradition request from their Malaysian counterparts on Nur Sajat.

Nur Sajat, whose birthname is Muhammad Sajjad Kamarul Zaman, was detained by Thai immigration officers on Sept 8 for being in possession of an invalid passport and was released on a RM8,343 bail on Sept 10.

On Tuesday (Sept 21), Bukit Aman Criminal Investigation Department director Comm Datuk Seri Abd Jalil Hassan said the Royal Malaysia Police (PDRM) is working with the Foreign Ministry and the Attorney General’s Chambers on the process of extraditing Nur Sajat to Malaysia.

Nur Sajat is sought by the authorities in Malaysia after the Shah Alam Syariah High Court issued an arrest warrant on Feb 23 after she failed to attend proceedings over a charge of dressing as a woman.

She is also required by police to attend proceedings at Ampang Jaya Court over a fraud case involving MyKad details.

According to media reports, the cosmetic entrepreneur had applied for refugee status from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and is eyeing to move to Australia.

Meanwhile, Thailand reiterated that the handling of Nur Sajat's will follow the laws of the country.

Thailand's Foreign Ministry spokesman Tanee Sangrat said "we are dealing with this case based on our laws and humanitarian tradition”.

Meanwhile, Thai researcher with Human Rights Watch Sunai Phasuk said Nur Sajat is recognized as a refugee by UNHCR.

He said it is Thailand’s international legal obligation and should not put Nur Sajat in harm’s way.

"Thailand is legally bound to respect the international principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning anyone to a country where they may face prosecution or serious abuses,” he said.- Bernama