Anwar denied entry to Japan

Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim has hit out at Narita International Airport officials after he was forcibly evicted from Japan.

The Opposition leader, in a statement said he had arrived at the airport at 6.45am from Kuala Lumpur but was barred from entry by the Japanese immigration authorities and was told to board the first flight back home or face deportation.

“I protest in the strongest terms this unwarranted action of the Japanese government in refusing me entry and denying my legitimate rights to travel freely without let or hindrance.

“It is indeed inconceivable for one of the world’s leading democracies to take this unprecedented action under such tenuous grounds and leaves me with the impression that hidden hands may be at work here,” Anwar said in his blog.

Anwar said the authorities explained he was not permitted in the country because of his previous corruption conviction in 1999. He argued that this was not a valid reason on account he had entered Tokyo in 2006, 2009 and 2012 without hindrance.

“I told the immigration authorities there must be some mix-up in this matter and protested that it was not proper for them to bar me from entering the country without a bona fide and valid reason.

As I persisted in asking for an explanation, they finally told me that they had to take this action “because of a latest report” possibly in 2013. I then had no choice but to take the next flight home at 10.45am,” he said.

The Opposition Leader also demanded an explanation from the Malaysian Minister of Foreign Affairs on what role Wisma Putra has allegedly played in barring his entry to Japan, citing the “latest report” that led to his eviction from Japan.

“I had gone to Tokyo on a personal invitation by Mr Sasakawa, Chairman of the Nippon Foundation, to present a paper on Muslim Democrats. As a routine pre-travel procedure, my office had made inquiries with the Japanese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur last week and was informed that there would be no issues outstanding which would be an impediment to my entering the country,” he said.