An Australian lawmaker who has criticised Malaysia's electoral system as unfair said Friday he has launched a court challenge against an entry ban that saw him deported from the country.
Independent senator Nick Xenophon landed in Kuala Lumpur in February to study the electoral system of Malaysia -- which is bracing for close polls next month -- but was barred entry at the airport and deported.
An application in the Kuala Lumpur High Court challenging the entry ban was filed on Thursday, his Malaysian lawyer Ranjit Singh told AFP.
"The Malaysian Government's actions were surprising, extraordinary and unwarranted, that's why I am challenging the orders deporting and banning me," Xenophon said in a statement.
He added that he "would very much like to be able to visit Malaysia again in the future".
Malaysia is bracing for what will likely be its closest ever election, with the Barisan Nasional coalition that has ruled since independence in 1957 facing an energised opposition.
Malaysia's government said Xenophon was barred entry because he took part in a 2012 mass rally for electoral reforms in Kuala Lumpur that ended with clashes between police and demonstrators, adding he had tarnished the country's image.
Australian lawmakers and Malaysian human rights groups and opposition leaders slammed the deportation, with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard saying she was "surprised and disappointed" by Malaysia's actions.
Activists say the vote's integrity is threatened by Barisan's stranglehold on mainstream media and an Election Commission they say is biased against the opposition. They also have warned the voter roll is full of irregularities.
The government denies the accusations, saying recent reforms including the introduction of indelible ink to prevent multiple voting will make this Malaysia's cleanest election ever.
Xenophon said he had written to Austriala's foreign minister for his support in challenging the entry ban.
Ranjit said he was still awaiting a date to present the application in court but that could be weeks away.
AFP
Fri Apr 12 2013
Prabowo takes up Indonesian presidency, vows to tackle corruption, other issues
Prabowo officially became Indonesia's eighth president on Sunday morning after he was sworn in during a ceremony at Indonesia's parliament.
Nepal's Sherpas deserve more, says teenager who scaled world's 14 tallest peaks
Sherpas are known for climbing skills that make them the backbone of mountain expeditions.
Prabowo takes up Indonesian presidency, vows to tackle corruption, other issues
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto on Sunday took over as president of the world's third-largest democracy, vowing to combat internal issues
Inside the underground lab in China tasked with solving a physics mystery
China will soon collect neutrino data, aiming to unravel one of particle physics' biggest mysteries.
Millions in Cuba still without power as major outage persists
Millions of Cubans remain without electricity because of a prolonged outage at the main power plants on the island, Anadolu Agency reported.
Surge in Gaza violence increases famine risk, monitor says
About 1.84 million people across the besieged Palestinian enclave are living through high levels of acute food insecurity.
Israel pounds Beirut and Gaza after rockets hit Israel's north
A drone was launched at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's holiday home.
Elon Musk promises to award $1 mil each day to a signer of his petition
He awarded a $1 million check to an attendee of his event in Pennsylvania aimed at rallying supporters behind Donald Trump.
Former special forces commander Prabowo to take up Indonesian presidency
Indonesia's Prabowo Subianto will take over as president of the world's third-largest democracy after sweeping the country's election with policies like free meals for school children
Father of Malaysian Islamic banking, Abdul Halim Ismail passes away
His dedication and pioneering spirit played an important role in shaping the journey of Bank Islam as well as leaving a lasting impact on the development of Malaysia's Islamic finance industry.
Zayn Malik postpones US tour dates after One Direction bandmate Liam Payne's death
Payne, 31, died on Wednesday after falling from a third-floor hotel room balcony in Buenos Aires, shocking fans of the boy band.
Why voters in a handful of swing states will decide the US presidential election
The contest will almost certainly be decided by just tens of thousands of voters a tiny fraction of the populace in a handful of states.
INSIGHT - Sudan's war risks 'lost generation' of children
A devastating crisis is unfolding in Sudan, where the most vulnerable members of society children are bearing the brunt of the violence.
Who is Prabowo Subianto, incoming president of Indonesia?
A wealthy ex-general with ties to Indonesia's popular outgoing president and its dictatorial past, looks set to be its next leader.
Trump says he would impose tariffs on China if China went into Taiwan
Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump said he would impose additional tariffs on China if China were to "go into Taiwan,"
Iran's supreme leader says Hamas leader's death will not halt 'Axis of Resistance'
The "Axis of Resistance", built up with years of Iranian support, includes Hamas, the Lebanese Hezbollah group, the Houthi movement in Yemen, and various Shi'ite groups in Iraq and Syria.
Putin says Russia willing to seek compromises between Iran and Israel
Russia is ready to help seek compromises between arch-foes Israel and Iran, President Vladimir Putin said on Friday, saying these would be difficult but possible.
What proposals will Russia push at the BRICS summit?
The proposal is also to establish a BRICS reinsurance company to allow uninterrupted shipment of goods and key commodities between members.
Indonesia's free meals plan in the spotlight as Prabowo readies for office
Prabowo calls the programme one of the main drivers of economic growth, eventually set to add an estimated 2.5 million jobs.
Astro AWANI's revamped English news website, AWANI International, launches on Oct 21
Astro AWANI's revamped English platform delivers in-depth global news and expert analysis to keep you informed on key developments.