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Malaysia detains Australia senator Nick Xenophon Malaysia detains Australia senator Nick Xenophon
(about 3 hours later)
An Australian senator on a fact-finding mission to Malaysia says he has been refused entry because authorities consider him a "security risk".An Australian senator on a fact-finding mission to Malaysia says he has been refused entry because authorities consider him a "security risk".
Nick Xenophon was detained at Kuala Lumpur airport on Saturday morning and will be deported back to Australia, correspondents say. Nick Xenophon was detained at Kuala Lumpur airport on Saturday as he arrived for talks with Malaysian officials to discuss elections in June.
He was part of an Australian delegation scheduled to meet Malaysian officials to discuss forthcoming elections. Immigration officials said the senator would be deported for taking part in a protest in Kuala Lumpur last year.
Mr Xenophon has been an outspoken critic of human rights in Malaysia.Mr Xenophon has been an outspoken critic of human rights in Malaysia.
The independent senator from South Australia was taken into custody at Kuala Lumpur airport on Saturday morning and detained apparently under Malaysia's national security laws, the BBC's Nick Bryant reports from Sydney. A regular visitor to the country, he arrived in Kuala Lumpur as part of an Australian parliamentary fact-finding mission to assess whether forthcoming elections would be free and fair.
Immigration officials were polite but acting under orders "from above", Mr Xenophon told reporters. The delegation was scheduled to hold talks with several Malaysian parties, including opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and officials from the election commission.
'Widespread fraud'
The independent senator from South Australia was taken into custody at Kuala Lumpur airport on Saturday morning and detained apparently under Malaysia's national security laws.
Immigration officials were polite but acting under orders "from above", Mr Xenophon said.
"I was told I am a security risk and I can't be allowed into the country. It's bizarre and extraordinary," the senator said."I was told I am a security risk and I can't be allowed into the country. It's bizarre and extraordinary," the senator said.
"I've been here before [and] I've made statements about the state of Malaysian democracy previously. But on this occasion clearly someone high up in the Malaysian government doesn't want me here.""I've been here before [and] I've made statements about the state of Malaysian democracy previously. But on this occasion clearly someone high up in the Malaysian government doesn't want me here."
Authorities advised Mr Xenophon he would deported on the next available flight to Australia. Mr Xenophon told the BBC he has repeatedly voiced fears that the country's forthcoming elections, due to be held in June, could be subject to "widespread election fraud and corruption".
"They have basically told me I am an enemy of the state. They are trying to get me on the next plane out of here and back home," he told the Australian Sunday Mail newspaper by phone. "That clearly has been something that the Malaysian authorities don't like hearing," he said.
'Disappointing' Last April, the senator was caught up in anti-government protests and reportedly tear-gassed by riot police at a demonstration in Kuala Lumpur demanding democratic reforms in April last year.
Mr Xenophon had flown to Malaysia as part of an Australian parliamentary fact-finding mission to assess whether forthcoming elections would be free and fair, our correspondent says. He also observed the trial of Mr Anwar, who was acquitted on sodomy charges.
The delegation was scheduled to hold talks with several Malaysian parties, including opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim and officials from the election commission. The Malaysian government confirmed Mr Xenophon would be sent back to Melbourne over his alleged involvement in the 2012 protest.
A regular visitor to the country, Mr Xenophon last year observed the trial of Mr Ibrahim, who was acquitted on sodomy charges. "Malaysia is a free and democratic country, but no-one is above the law," immigration chief Alias Ahmad said in a statement.
Mr Xenophon was also caught up in anti-government protests and reportedly tear-gassed by riot police at a demonstration in Kuala Lumpur demanding democratic reforms in April last year. "Authorities will take the appropriate action against any individual deemed to have violated national laws."
Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr said his government was seeking Mr Xenophon's immediate release and had raised the issue with the Malaysian government.Australian Foreign Minister Bob Carr said his government was seeking Mr Xenophon's immediate release and had raised the issue with the Malaysian government.
"Senator Xenophon's detention is a surprising and disappointing act from a country with which Australia routinely maintains strong diplomatic relations," Mr Carr said."Senator Xenophon's detention is a surprising and disappointing act from a country with which Australia routinely maintains strong diplomatic relations," Mr Carr said.
"Our High Commissioner Miles Kupa has now made direct contact with Senator Xenophon at the airport and is seeking his release.""Our High Commissioner Miles Kupa has now made direct contact with Senator Xenophon at the airport and is seeking his release."
Other members of the Australian delegation have now pulled out, our correspondent says. Other members of the Australian delegation have pulled out of the scheduled visit in response to the detention.
Malaysian authorities have not commented on the senator's arrest.