Kuala Lumpur, Jan 21 – The Japanese immigration authorities do not need a “bona fide and valid reason” to bar defacto opposition leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim from entering Japan.
The President for the Centre for Political Awareness Datuk Huan Cheng Guan said in a statement issued here today that entering any country is not automatic privilege of any foreigner and is dependent on the discretion of the host nation.
On Sunday, Anwar was barred from entering Japan when he arrived at Narita International Airport and was told to board the first flight back or face deportation. He went there on the personal invitation by the chairman of Nippon Foundation to present a paper on Muslim Democrats.
Anwar protested that it was not proper for the Japanese Immigration authorities to bar him from entering the country without a bona fide and valid reason. Moreover, he claimed that he had entered Tokyo without hindrance on three previous occasions in 2006, 2009 and 2012.
He also claimed that his office had made inquiries with the Japanese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur as routine pre-travel procedure and was given a go ahead.
Top this, Huan said; “I am not sure blaming the Japanese Embassy is at all fair. They cannot be held accountable for what happened at the immigration checkpoint at Narita Airport”.
On Monday, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman clarified that the Malaysian government had nothing to do with the Japanese government’s decision to bar Anwar from entering that country.
Anifah also noted that every country had its sovereign right to deny entry to any person and they’re not obliged to explain their decision.
– Bernama
