Former Bangladeshi envoy granted interim stay on deportation order

KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court here has allowed an application by a former Bangladeshi diplomat for an interim stay on a deportation order against him.

Justice Mohamed Zaini Mazlan allowed the application by Mohamed Khairuzzaman, the former Bangladesh high commissioner, pending a hearing on his habeas corpus application to challenge his detention by the government.

The judge sternly reminded parties that all relevant departments must adhere to the court order.

“I don’t want to hear that he has been deported against this court order I have granted," he said here on Tuesday (Feb 15).

The court earlier heard from Mohamed Khairuzzaman's lawyer Edmund Bon, who urged the court to allow the interim stay as there was a risk of his client being deported at any time before the habeas corpus hearing on May 20.

Deputy public prosecutor Wong Siew Mun represented the government, the Home Minister and the Immigration director as respondents.

On Feb 10, Home Minister Datuk Seri Hamzah Zainudin confirmed that Mohamed Khairuzzaman had been detained by the authorities.

He did not disclose what offence Mohammed Khairuzzaman was arrested for but said the arrest was carried out in accordance with legal procedures.

“If there is a request from the country of origin that we feel has a basis, then we will make (the arrest) and everything is done according to procedure,” he was quoted as saying.

According to news reports, Mohamed Khairuzzaman, who is reported to be living in Malaysia as a refugee, was detained at his home in Ampang and expected to be sent home to Bangladesh.

His wife Rieta Rahman, who is currently in the United States, told a news portal that her husband’s arrest was politically motivated.