Thailand has yet to decide on Sajat
Thailand is considering whether to deport cosmetic entrepreneur Nur Sajat Kamarul Zaman, who escaped to Thailand and was charged by local authorities over immigration offences.
Deputy Commander and spokesperson of the Immigration Bureau Pol Maj Gen Achayon Kraithong said Sajat was detained for illegal entry.
“There are many procedures...
Thailand is considering whether to deport cosmetic entrepreneur Nur Sajat Kamarul Zaman, who escaped to Thailand and was charged by local authorities over immigration offences.
Deputy Commander and spokesperson of the Immigration Bureau Pol Maj Gen Achayon Kraithong said Sajat was detained for illegal entry.
“There are many procedures (to deport Sajat)… we have to follow the Immigration laws. Whether to send (Sajat) back or not, it needs to be considered,” he told Bernama when contacted.
However, Bernama was made to understand that Thai authorities have yet to receive a request from their Malaysian counterpart on the matter.
Sajat was detained by Thai immigration officers on Sept 8 for being in possession of an invalid passport and was released on RM8,343 bail on Sept 10.
On Tuesday, Malaysian Criminal Investigation Department director Abd Jalil Hassan said the Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) is working with the Foreign Ministry and the Attorney-General’s Chambers on the process of extraditing Sajat to Malaysia.
The transgender woman is sought by the authorities in Malaysia after the Shah Alam Syariah High Court issued an arrest warrant on Feb 23 for failing to attend proceedings over a charge of dressing as a woman.
She is also required by the police to attend proceedings at Ampang Jaya Court over a fraud case involving MyKad details.
Media reported that Sajat had applied for refugee status from the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) and is eyeing to move to Australia.
Meanwhile, Thailand reiterated that the handling of the case will follow the laws of the country.
Thailand Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson, Tanee Sangrat said “we are dealing with this case based on our laws and humanitarian tradition”.
Meanwhile, Thai researcher with Human Rights Watch Sunai Phasuk said Sajat is recognised as a refugee by UNHCR.
He said it is Thailand’s international legal obligation and should not put her in harm’s way.
“Thailand is legally bound to respect the international principle of non-refoulement, which prohibits returning anyone to a country where they may face prosecution or serious abuses,” he said.
- Bernama
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