PUTRAJAYA: The government will not deport Bangladeshi opposition politician M.A. Quayum while the court hears his bid to fight the order.
Home Minister Datuk Seri Saifuddin Nasution Ismail said at a press conference today that he had given an assurance to Quayum's lawyer that the Immigration Department would abide by the court's ruling.
Saifuddin said the commitment stands while the government awaits the court's decision over Quayum's habeas corpus application, seeking release from what he claims to be unlawful detention by the Immigration Department.
"I have contacted his (Quayum's) lawyer (to inform) that the Immigration Department will comply with the court's order.
"Hence, we will not deport him until the court issues a verdict.
"Some media have also reported that the department was in contempt of court or (calling me a) useless minister, but you have to be fair to us as there is a process," he said.
Saifuddin said he had also instructed the Immigration director-general to ensure Quayum was detained in proper conditions following complaints of poor treatment, and denied claims that the politician was held in a secret location.
"His wife is also allowed to visit him, hence, it's not true (on the allegations) that no one knows where he is.
"I also do not want to comment much on the criticism (against Quayum's detainment) by certain quarters, as they are doing their job as I am doing mine."
Earlier, the human rights group Suara Rakyat Malaysia (Suaram) asked the Home Ministry to respect the stay of the deportation order against Quayum.
Suaram executive director Sevan Doraisamy in a statement said the deportation order was in defiance of the Kuala Lumpur High Court's decision on Jan 18 to stay Quayum's deportation until the conclusion of proceedings of Quayum's habeas corpus application.
It was previously reported that the Immigration Department had signed off on an order to deport Quayum.
However, Quayum's family and lawyers were only informed of the order yesterday.
Quayum, a leader of the Bangladesh Nationalist Party, had been arrested in a joint operation between the police and Bangladeshi intelligence on Jan 12.