The immigration department must cancel its deportation order issued for Bangladeshi MA Quayum, the High Court in Kuala Lumpur ruled earlier today (May 29).
Justice K Muniandy, in issuing a consent judgment, also ordered that Quayum, 61, be released to the care of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) for resettlement in a third country.
“The applicant and his dependents will not be detained or deported from Malaysia while awaiting the resettlement process, provided they do not commit any criminal offences and are not charged in any court,” Muniandy said.
He added that Quayum and his family must leave the country within a reasonable period after the resettlement process is completed.
Muniandy also ruled that Quayum withdraw his habeas corpus application without the liberty to refile.
“The applicant will not file any civil action in relation to his arrest and detention from January 12 to February 8, 2024,” Muniandy added.
Quayum, leader of the opposition Bangladesh National Party, was detained by the immigration department on Jan 12, leading to the cancellation of his Malaysia My Second Home (MM2H) visa. He remained in detention until February 8.
On January 18, the High Court granted a stay on Quayum’s deportation order. Despite this, another deportation order was issued by immigration director-general Ruslin Jusoh on January 24.
On January 31, the Kuala Lumpur High Court compelled the immigration department to abide by the January 18 court order staying his deportation, pending the disposal of his April 5 habeas corpus application.
The issue drew concern from activists and his family, who called on the government to “uphold” the rights of refugees and victims of political persecution, fearing for their safety if they were forced to return to Bangladesh.
Quayum, his wife Shahamin Ara Begum, and their daughter Arnita Tasnim Ankaur have been in Malaysia since 2013, and are registered with the UNHCR.
The immigration department said that if Quayum and his family’s passports were reissued, they would be allowed to reapply for an MM2H pass “subject to terms and conditions”.
BDST: 1853 HRS, MAY 29, 2024
MN/SMS
