KUALA LUMPUR: The High Court today granted a stay on deportation order against Bangladeshi opposition politician MA Quayum.
The leader of Bangladesh Nationalist Party was arrested in a joint operation between the police and Bangladeshi intelligence on Friday.
The case was heard before Judge K. Muniandy this morning.
Suara Rakyat Malaysia executive director Sevan Doraisamy in a statement said the arrest and detention were especially unwarranted, as Quayum was a UNHCR-recognised refugee with an active UNHCR card.
"We demand the Immigration Department to fully comply with this court order and immediately cease any plans to deport Quayum.
"The reprehensible act of defying the temporary court order and forcibly deporting asylum seekers that was cruelly executed three years ago should not be repeated," he said.
He said the government must uphold its commitment to respect and protect refugees fleeing persecution, as well as refrain from forcibly returning them to a country where they might face harm.