Australian senator Nicholas Xenophon has failed to obtain leave (permission) from the Kuala Lumpur High Court to have his application heard for a judicial review of the Immigration Department’s order to bar him from entering Malaysia last February.

The Attorney-General’s Chambers entered a preliminary objection today, after which Justice Zaleha Yusof ruled against the leave application by the independent politician.

In a decision made in chambers, Justice Zaleha agreed that Section 59A of the Immigration Act 1959/63 does not grant court the power to review the Immigration director-general’s order if this has followed proper procedure.

She made no order as to costs.

Senior Federal Counsel Suzana Atan confirmed the decision when approached by reporters. She appeared for the Immigration Department, while Gregory Ling represented Xenophon.

Last February, Xenophon was held on arrival at the Low-Cost Carrier Terminal in Sepang and deported to Australia 15 hours later.

It is believed the authorities had reacted to his stinging comments on Malaysia's electoral process and had deemed his remarks a threat to national security.

The incident created headlines in Malaysia and Australia, among other countries.