The habeas corpus application for a Singaporean national detained by the Immigration Department was withdrawn today following his release from prison.

Pius Gilbert Louis was arrested in Johor Bahru on Oct 9 and detained at the local immigration camp for over a month, despite holding a valid visa to remain in Malaysia until Nov 7.

The reason for Louis' detention is unknown, although he was initially slated to be deported. Apparently, when he was arrested, Louis was with two foreigners who weren't in possession of any travel documents.

He was, however, detained with no charge made against him nor was he produced in court.

A habeas corpus application, if successful, would have compelled the Immigration Department to bring Louis to court, in order to determine if his detention was lawful.

Lawyer Arun Kasi, representing Louis, withdrew the application before Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, following his client's release by the Immigration Department.

Louis was subsequently given a special pass for seven days after his release, said Arun.

The Immigration Department director-general had been named as a respondent in the case.

According to Arun, during Louis' arrest, he was in the company of foreign guests who had brought two others who, unknown to Louis, did not possess any identification documents. 

However, Louis was not produced before any magistrate's court.

"The detention was an intrusion into Gilbert's personal liberty guaranteed under the Federal Constitution. He is a foreigner who remained in Malaysia lawfully.

"He cannot be arrested and deported. If at all he is required to leave the country, then he should be allowed to peacefully leave. Accordingly, my client asked for his release with a short-term special pass," he added.

Arun said his client had also retained international human rights lawyer M Ravi, who is based in Singapore, to corroborate with him.