The home minister has defended the government’s decision to deport Saudi Arabian national Hamza Kashgari to avoid Malaysia being regarded as a safe haven for those who are wanted in their country of origin.

hamza kashgari 120212 "I will not allow Malaysia to be seen as a safe country for terrorists and those who are wanted by their countries of origin, and also be seen as a transit county," Hishammuddin Hussein told the media after attending an international conference in Petaling Jaya, Selangor.

He also denied the claim, that went viral on the Internet yesterday, that a court injunction had been issued to stop the deportation.

"I didn't receive any injunction. If the court gives an injunction, we will comply," said Hishammuddin, who was accompanied by Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Ismail Omar.

"There was also no request by the Interpol as claimed by some, but a request from the Saudi Arabian government."

On warnings that Hamza could be tortured and killed if deported to Saudi Arab, Hishammuddin said these are "ridiculous and serious allegations" because Saudi Arabia is a "respectable" country.

"Don't bring politics of Malaysia to Saudi Arabia," he commented.

He elaborated that the deportation is not a privilege enjoyed by Saudi Arabia.

But, said Hishammuddin, the authorities would do the same if requested by countries like the US, UK or China, in order to fight the perception that Malaysia is a safe haven for criminals and a loose point of human trafficking. 

Yesterday the government had deported Hamza, 23, a newspaper columnist, who had fled Saudi Arabia over his Twitter postings on the Prophet Muhammad.

His deportation caused an outcry amongst the local NGOs and civil society for breaching human rights principles as Hamza is likely to face the death penalty in his home country.

Human rights activist Fadiah Nadwa Fikri condemned the move, saying that a court order to prevent Hamza's deportation had been secured but that immigration authorities advised that he had already been deported.

All set for ISA repeal

Hishammuddin also reiterated that two Bills to replace the Internal Security Act 1960 will be tabled when Parliament reconvenes next month.

"The Bills are drafted and under the purview of the Attorney-General's Chambers."

Asked about the arrest in Indonesia of Hilmi Malek , said to be involved in releasing semi-nude pictures of Selangor exco Elizabeth Wong, Hishammuddin said Malaysia's main concern is Hilmi's alleged offence of falsifying travel documents.

He said the Malaysian police will look at the case from this angle.

In his keynote address entitled 'Police Transformation: The Malaysian Experience' at the conference, Hishammuddin demonstrated his outstanding report card in reducing the crime rate.

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