Australian MP challenges Malaysia entry ban

An Australian lawmaker, who took part in a rally on election reforms in Malaysia in 2012, has challenged his deportation after he was declared a "security risk" by the country's Immigration Department.
Independent MP Nicholas Xenophon is seeking leave for a judicial review to overturn the decision by the Malaysian Immigration Department on February 16 refusing him entry into west Malaysia.
Xenophon had landed in Kuala Lumpur in February to study the electoral system of Malaysia -- which goes to polls on May 5 -- where he was held for 15 hours on arrival at the Low Cost Carrier Terminal in Sepang then deported back to Australia.

Reacting to his detention, Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr had said, "Senator Xenophon's detention is a surprising and disappointing act from a country with which Australia routinely maintains strong diplomatic relations."
Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard also said she was "surprised and disappointed" by Malaysia's actions.
In his application, Xenophon is asking the High Court to quash the notice of refusal.

He is applying for an order to compel the director-general of the Immigration Department, who was named as the sole respondent in his court papers, to allow him entry into Malaysia.
The Australian lawmaker is also seeking damages, costs and further relief deemed fit by the court.

Xenophon said he was an Australian MP and had previously visited Malaysia from April 25-29 as part of an International Observer Group which conducted a fact-finding mission on elections in Malaysia.
He claimed the authorities had made up a false reason to deny him entry and acted for political rather than legitimate reasons to deport him, classifying him a security risk, Malaysiakini, or Malaysia Today, has reported.
"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 issued by his lawyer Ranjit Singh.
He called on the Malaysian Government to allow his entry to the country and said, he "would very much like to be able to visit Malaysia again in the future".

The Malaysian Government said Xenophon was barred entry because he participated in a 2012 mass rally for electoral reforms in Kuala Lumpur that ended with clashes between police and demonstrators.
Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak dissolved the 222-seat Parliament earlier this month to call for general elections that may pose a stiff challenge to the ruling Barisan Nasional coalition's 56-year rule as it faces a resurgent opposition.