The family of Indonesian Abdul Mutalib Taib, who was a permanent resident here, wants the home ministry to explain why his identity card was revoked and the reasons for his detention and deportation.

According to their lawyer Charles Hector, further action would hinge upon whether the ministry rejects their previous appeals and the grounds provided for doing so.

"A judicial review would depend on the replies to our appeals, as we do not have as yet the ministry's reasons for the declarations and orders that have been made," he said when contacted today.

"If the ministry rejects our appeals and provides the grounds, only then can we apply for judicial review."

Abdul Mutalib was arrested on March 23 while applying for his eldest son's identity card at the National Registration Department (NRD) in Sepang.

While being detained at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport immigration depot, the father of four was shown several orders, declarations and notices pertaining to the alleged revocation of his permanent resident status in 1996.

Five appeals submitted

According to Hector, it was clearly stated in the notices that he could appeal to the home ministry within seven days of receipt.

The family claimed to have since submitted five appeals to the ministry, the NRD, and the immigration department, at least three of which were five or six days before the expiry of the appeal period.

Last Sunday, his wife Romita Hasibuan learnt that Abdul Mutalib, who has been in Malaysia since the 1980s, had been deported to Medan two days earlier - just after she had spoken to him on the phone.

In a press statement, Hector criticised immigration officials for the deportation and described the move as "contrary to law and totally devoid of compassion".

"We call on the home minister and the prime minister to look into this matter, and immediately cause Abdul Mutalib to be brought back to Malaysia and be reunited with his wife and four children," he said.

"We also call on the home minister and the prime minister to take necessary action against the errant officers, who caused the premature deportation and who caused the other violation of Abdul Mutalib and his family's rights."

Hector also alluded to the children's rights as stated in the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child, which include the right to a nationality and identity, the right to know and be cared for by his/her parents, and the right not to be separated from his/ her parents against their will.

Despite assurances by a NRD public relations officer that Abdul Mutalib's deportation would not affect his family's status, a subsequent statement by NRD director of investigations and enforcement Habsah Wahid suggested otherwise.

In a Malay Mail report on April 29, Habsah was quoted as saying the revocation of Abdul Mutalib's permanent resident status would lead to a review of his wife's spousal visa as well as the citizenship of their two children born after the revocation.