Malaysian businessman Tan Seng Hin, who was deported from Sarawak last year, appealed to the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam) today to investigate the state government's "arbitrary" expulsion.

During a 30-minute meeting with commissioner Dr Salleh Noor, Tan said his deportation was without any valid reason and the forcible break-up of his family in Miri by the state government deserved the intervention of Suhakam.

Tan, 61 - a 23-year Sarawak resident - was asked to leave the state on Dec 13 last year.

The letter which ordered his deportation however did not specify any reason for the shock expulsion.

The Malacca-born businessman was eventually deported to the peninsular on Jan 6 this year, and has since been separated from his wife and two children in Miri.

Both Sarawak and Sabah, the two states in East Malaysia, were granted the right to impose separate immigration controls when they joined peninsular Malaya in 1963 to form Malaysia.

'Ungrateful to Sarawak government'

In a written statement to Parliament in April, Deputy Home Affairs Minister Zainal Abidin Zin said that Tan was deported because he was a critic of the state government.

He added that Tan was found to be "ungrateful to the Sarawak government who had given him the chance to live in the state for 20 years."

"The government is satisfied that his presence in Sarawak can jeorpadise the harmony among the local community," said Zainal, adding that Tan had incited the local people and criticised the government through the Miri Hainanese Association.

According to Zainal, the state government decided to cancel Tan's social visit pass on Nov 7 last year and subsequently deport and bar him from entering the state for a period of one year starting Dec 6.

At today's meeting with Suhakam, Tan was accompanied by DAP secretary-general Kerk Kim Hock, Seputeh MP Teresa Kok and Cheras MP Tan Kok Wai.

In a memorandum sent to Suhakam, Kerk stated that the government's claims were not substantiated by any proof.

"The least and right thing the Sarawak government must do is to furnish full details and proof of all the allegations against Tan, so as to allow him an opportunity to defend himself," he said.

Right to vote

Tan has also asked for Suhakam's assistance to enable him to cast his vote in the Sept 27 state elections.

"I am a legitimate voter in Piasau, Miri. I should have the right to go back and vote there," he told malaysiakini .

Tan added that he registered as a voter in Piasau five years ago.

"I hope that I would be back in Miri on nomination day," he said.

According to Tan, commissioner Salleh told him that Suhakam would try to resolve the issue, both regarding his deportation and his right to vote.

"Suhakam also said that they would investigate the matter," said Tan.