Malaysia detains critical Australian senator Nick Xenophon
By Samira Arabi
Morocco News Tribune
Agadir, Morocco — Australian Senator Nick Xenophon has been detained at Kuala Lumpur airport after the Malaysian government decided to deport him on Saturday due to his constant criticism to the Malaysian democracy and human rights abuse, agencies reported.
The Australian senator, along with a delegation, was supposed to meet and have discussions on coming election in Malaysia with government officials and opposition leaders such Anwar Ibrahim, a strong opposition leader, as well as Malaysia’s minister in charge of parliamentary affairs, Mohammed Nazri, and members of the group Bersih, the Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections.
Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr condemned Senator Nick Xenophon’s detention by the Malaysian government as “surprising and disappointing”.
“Senator Xenophon’s detention is a surprising and disappointing act from a country with which Australia routinely maintains strong diplomatic relations.” He added.
Xenophon, who visited Malaysia in 2012 at the time when public protests broke out in Kuala Lumpur and police subdued protesters using tear gas, expressed his disappointment at the Australian government, describing it as “mute about human rights issues” in Malaysia.