MP disagrees with Rainsy being driven away
SHAH ALAM - Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Abdul Karim disagrees with the government's actions in driving away former Cambodia opposition chief Sam Rainsy who had recently visited here
He described Sam Rainsy as a leader who fought for Cambodia's democratic change and should not be driven off in such a way.
He said he would have supported the move, if it was former United States president George W Bush or former British prime minister Tony Blair who were being driven away as they had waged war and destroyed Iraq
"I felt sad today after reading the news that the prime minister of my country who claimed to uphold human rights and democracy drove off Rainsy a Cambodian opposition figure who was visiting the country," he said in a statement on Thursday.
Hassan said such when commenting on the report that Rainsy was driven off from the country after he and his entourage were prevented from holding a meeting in the capital.
The Cambodia news Khmer Times reported Rainsy came to the nation using his private jet and France passport.
The measure was reported to enable him to enter without being observed by Malaysian authorities.
Hasan said the move to turn away Rainsy reminded him of the incidents that occurred towards his friends and opposition leaders in the past including towards Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim.
He said his friends and student leaders of Universiti Malaya had fled the country in 1975 to save themselves from being arrested under the Internal Security Act (ISA).
"They were forced to find political protection or asylum in Europe, in the 'infidel' countries that recognised the meaning of humanity and compassion as the foundations of civility," he said.
Hassan said Anwar himself has been in and out of prison in his fight for peace and reform for Malaysia for opposing the government under the fourth prime minister Tun Dr Mahathir Mohamad whom hedescribed as a dictator.
"Malaysia must be progressive, dynamic and active in foreign policy in accordance with international diplomacy practices," he said.
