Aussie journos can return to Malaysia as tourists - Nur Jazlan

The two Australian journalists who were detained over the weekend for trying to 'aggressively' approach Datuk Seri Najib Razak at an event, would not be stopped if they returned to Malaysia as tourists.

Deputy Home Minister Datuk Nur Jazlan Mohamed said however, action would be taken against reporter Eroglu Levent and camera operator Linton Joshua Besser from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation if they were found to have breached rules.

"The duo had broken the law where they should have applied for a permit if they wanted to carry out media duties in Sarawak. However, that (not pressing charges) is the prerogative of the state government.

"We have no qualms about letting them into this country as tourists. We will decide on our actions if the situation calls for it. At least now they know that what they did was wrong," he said when asked to comment on the move to deport the two journos.

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When asked if they would be blacklisted in entering Sarawak, Nur Jazlan said: "The laws of Sarawak immigration lies with the state government. It all depends on the state government."

Levent and Besser were detained last Saturday when they allegedly tried to approach Najib during the Prime Minister’s walkabout at Masjid Darul Ehsan Kampung Haji Baki in Kuching.

After having their statements recorded at the Padawan police station, the duo were released the next morning. The police had initially called for the duo to be charged here for 'obstructing a public servant from obstructing his duty'.

However, the deputy public prosecutor had instead instructed for the duo to not be charged but to immediately deport them.

Levent and Besser have since left the country this morning.

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