By Bernama | Free Malaysia Today
An opposition politician from Bangladesh intends to submit expert witness testimony from his country to support his habeas corpus application against wrongful detention, his lawyer said.
Kee Shu Min, representing MA Quayum, 61, informed High Court judge K. Muniandy the affidavit from the witness, a lawyer, will be presented to the court within three weeks.
“So far, only one expert witness and the applicant have affirmed affidavits.
“If necessary, we will include affidavits from other parties,” Kee said.
She said Quayum is currently released under a special pass issued by the Immigration Department after another court granted his application to defer his deportation to Bangladesh pending the completion of the habeas corpus application.
“The pass is renewed every month and will expire tomorrow. Therefore, we request the court to issue the notice of trial to facilitate the renewal of the applicant’s pass,” she said.
Muniandy allowed the application and fixed July 3 for the habeas corpus hearing.
Quayum, who is from the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, filed the habeas corpus application on Jan 15, seeking his release and to stay his deportation pending a decision on today’s application.
In a supporting affidavit, his daughter said Quayum, who has been living in Malaysia for the past 15 years under the Malaysia My Second Home Programme, was detained at the Ampang Jaya police headquarters on Jan 12.
She claimed that the arrest was aimed at forcibly sending her father back to Bangladesh immediately without conforming to any laws, including the Extradition Act.
She also claimed that Quayumr’s safety would be threatened and he would face political persecution if he was sent back to Bangladesh.
