As for this incident, please refer to my previous posting (http://d.hatena.ne.jp/itunalily2/20140121).
The case of Mr. Anwar Ibrahim reminds me of one passage written by Dr. Daniel Pipes (http://d.hatena.ne.jp/itunalily2/archive?word=%22Daniel+Pipes%22) in his earlier outstanding book entitled "In the Path of God: Islam and Political Power"(1983: 251):‘Anwar Ibrahim mixed the spirit of the fundamentalist with the flexibility of the reformist and the result was a distinctively new approach to Islam in politics. This, combined with outstanding confidence and charisma, led increasing numbers of Muslims to believe that Ibrahim could mold Islam into a viable way of life. He seemed likely to remain the key figure in Malaysian Islam for decades to come.' Interestingly, Dr. Pipes is the author of the book entitled "The Hidden Hand: Middle East Fears of Conspiracy" (1996/1998) as well.
As an ordianry citizen of Japan who has been doing a small research about Malaysia since the early 1990s, I think this is a very confusing and troubling issue. In this case, Mr. Anwar Ibrahim failed to obtain his entry visa for Japan, which was the cause of this problem.
It may be safely said that the Malaysian people concerned seem not to understand deeply and accurately about the Japanese society before, during, and after the Second World War up until now. They simply react emotionally and politically based on their superficial observation. (See some of the readers'comments below.)
Anyway, I am of the view that the change of the Japanese policy to abolish the visa system for a short stay in Japan for the Malaysians was a bit too early to avoid such an uncomfortable situation between Malaysia and Japan.
(http://www.my.emb-japan.go.jp/English/visit.html#1)
Visa Application Requirement
From 1st July 2013, the Government of Japan has decided to abolish the requirement of short-term visa for Malaysian Nationals who hold ordinary biometric passports with embedded microchip that is compliant with ICAO standards(issued since February 2010) who wish to enter Japan for short-term stay.
However, this visa exemption only apply to Malaysian Nationals holding ordinary biometric passport with embedded microchip that is compliant with ICAO standards. Malaysian Nationals who do not hold ordinary biometric passport with embedded microchip that is compliant with ICAO standards remain advised to obtain a visa to enter into Japan.
The visa exemption arrangement between Japan and Malaysia, which had been existed since before 1993, provides that Malaysian nationals who meet the relevant conditions could enter Japan without obtaining a visa for a period of not exceeding three consecutive months (short-term stay). However, in 1993, the Government of Japan after taking into consideration the situation at the time and in consultation with the Government of Malaysia, began to advise Malaysian nationals to obtain a visa in advance to enter Japan.(unquote)
By the way, why the Nippon Foundation (which is a totally different oranization from the Japan Foundation I once associated) did not prepare an entry visa for Mr. Anwar Ibrahim this time? (Lily)
Malaysiakini (http://beta.malaysiakini.com)
(1) Anwar barred from entering Japan, 19 January 2014
Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim was barred from entering Japan today, purportedly due to something that happened last year.
In a posting on Facebook, he said immigration officials at the Narita Airport told him to either take "the first flight back home or face deportation".
"When I asked why I was not allowed to enter, they told that me that it was because of previous conviction in 1999.
"I told them this could not be a valid reason on account of the fact that I had already entered Tokyo without hindrance on three previous occasions in 2006, 2009 and 2012...
"As I persisted in asking for an explanation, they finally told me that they had to take this action 'because of a latest report' possible in 2013," he said.
He boarded a flight out of Narita at 10.45 am Tokyo time.
The PKR de facto leader, who had gone to Tokyo to present a paper for the Nippon Foundation, said that his office had checked with the Japanese Embassy on travel requirements last week and was not informed of any hindrances.
As such, Anwar urged Wisma Putra to explain this occurrence, especially on the matter of the "so-called latest report" that has led to his barring.
"It is indeed inconceivable for one of the world’s leading democracies to take this unprecedented action under such tenuous grounds and leaves me with the impression that hidden hands may be at work here," he said.
(2) Anifah denies gov't hand behind Anwar's Japan exit, 20 January 2014
Foreign Affairs Minister Anifah Aman has rubbished claims that the Malaysian government is responsible for influencing Japan to bar Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim from entering the country.
"It's unthinkable... the idea that I might have any influence over what the Japanese government does," he was quoted as saying in the New Straits Times.
Instead, Anifah said the Japanese government had within its power, under the Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, to deny "undesirable" individuals from the country.
"The Japanese government can deny entry to anyone who they find undesirable, and they are under no obligation to explain to us further why they have decided to do so," he was quoted as saying.
Such persons include those who have been convicted and imprisoned for any crime in Japan or elsewhere, he added.
Anwar, who yesterday landed at Narita Airport, Tokyo, was informed by Japanese immigration officers to take the first flight back home or “face deportation”, supposedly due to his 1999 conviction.
Anwar had previously been to Japan in 2006, 2009 and 2012 without obstacle. This time, he was to present a paper at the Nippon Foundation.
It was alleged when this was pointed out, Japanese officers then stated the refusal of entry was due to a “latest report" received, leading to speculation that “diplomatic pressure” had been exerted by the Malaysian government upon its Japanese counterpart.
(3) Withdraw Japan's 'Anwar report', PKR tells Najib, 20 January 2014
PKR is demanding the Malaysian government withdraw the “report” that led to Anwar Ibrahim being barred from entering Japan yesterday, accusing Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak’s regime of “underhanded diplomatic pressure”.
Its human rights and legal bureau head Latheefa Koya said “serious questions” were raised as Japanese authorities, in prohibiting Anwar’s entry, had claimed to have received a “recent report” pertaining to the opposition leader.
“We demand a full explanation from Wisma Putra (Foreign Ministry) as to the reason given by the Japanese authority where it was claimed that a recent report from the Malaysian government was the basis for not allowing Anwar from entering.
“We therefore call the prime minister to rectify the situation by immediately withdrawing this unwarranted report sent to the Japanese government and giving full travel clearance to Anwar,” she said in a statement today.
Latheefa, a lawyer, deemed the incident “the latest series of attacks and harassment” against the PKR de facto leader, who she reminded is facing the possibility of conviction following the government’s appeal of his Sodomy II acquittal.
This is not the first time the government resorted to “underhanded diplomatic pressure to protect their interests”, she said, citing alleged “political pressure” that prevented Thai pathologist Dr Pornthip Rojanasunand from coming to Malaysia to perform a second autopsy upon brutality victim C Sugumar last year.
'Black hand' involved
Anwar, on his Facebook page yesterday, complained that immigration officials at the Narita Airport had instructed him to take "the first flight back home or face deportation", initially telling him this was due to his 1999 sodomy conviction.
However, when pointed out that he had been allowed entry into the country numerous times since, in 2006, 2009 and 2012, the Japanese officers then claimed the action was due to a “latest report, possibly made in 2013".
Also calling for a reversal to Anwar’s denial of entry, DAP national chairperson Karpal Singh said there appeared to be a “black hand” at work behind the matter.
“In any event, a conviction in 1999 would, in law, amount to a spent conviction which is not taken into account in a court of law. Perhaps, the authorities in Japan may want to know this aspect of the law,” the Bukit Gelugor MP said in a statement.
“In my view, the denial of the entry is ill-advised and requires reversal and the earlier it is done, the better.”
Meanwhile, Selangor MB Abdul Khalib Ibrahim said Japan’s action, possibly at “orders issued by the Malaysian government”, was an insult to Anwar in his status as the nation’s opposition leader.
“What is more regrettable is the fact that the Selangor government has good economic and diplomatic relations with Japan, as Japanese investors make up the largest number of foreign investors in Selangor, while Anwar Ibrahim is the Selangor economic adviser,” he said.
(4) Japan kept Anwar out due to prior conviction, 21 January 2014
PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim was denied entry into Japan last Sunday because he had been convicted of corrupt practice in Malaysia in 1999.
English-language daily The Star quoted Japanese Embassy spokesperson Tomoko Nagai as saying that the country would typically refuse entry to any person with a prior conviction in Japan or any other country, and who had been jailed for a year or more.
This is stipulated in Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act, she said.
Anwar was convicted of corruption in 1999, for interfering with police investigations into claims of sexual misconduct against him
"As we know, Anwar was allowed to enter Japan in 2011 and 2012, but during (that) period, he had special permission from the country,” the spokesperson reportedly said.
"This time, however, he did not request for the special permission, and as such was not allowed to enter the country."
However, PKR communications chief Fahmi Fadzil, when contacted, said that Anwar's staff had checked with the embassy prior to the trip and received an all clear.
"Anwar's political secretary made the call to the Japanese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur and also to the Japanese Foreign Ministry to explicitly find out if a formal application needed to be made.
"In both inquiries, Anwar's office was told there was no need for any formal application," he told Malaysiakini.
He also denied that there could have been a mix up involving Anwar's staff.
Anwar had arrived at Narita Airport early on Sunday morning.
When refused entry into the country, he had to board the first flight out that morning on threat of deportation.
He had travelled to Japan to present a paper for the Nippon Foundation. He said that his office had checked with the Japanese Embassy for travel requirements and was not informed of any likely hindrance.
Anwar then accused the Putrajaya of having a hidden hand in the matter but Foreign Affairs Minister Anifah Aman rubbished this, saying that it could have happened because Japan has a right to deny entry to any person they considered "undesirable."
'Anifah wrong'
Meanwhile, PKR veep and lawyer N Surendran countered that Anifah was wrong to wash his hands off the matter.
Calling Anwar "our country's federal opposition leader," Surendran said the entry denial was of grave concern and had insulted Malaysia.
"The BN government is duty-bound to pursue the matter vigorously with the Japanese government. Japan must be asked to reverse the entry refusal and apologise for their actions, which is a slap in the face of our country," the MP for Padang Serai said in a statement.
Irrespective of political differences, Surendran urged the government to defend a "citizen" and also raised an issue with Anifah's claim that perhaps Japan had considered Anwar an "undesirable" individual.
(5) Pakatan sends protest note to Japanese Embassy, 21 January 2014
Pakatan Rakyat yesterday submitted a protest letter to the Japanese Embassy over the deportation of Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim from that country.
In the letter addressed to Japanese Ambassador to Malaysia Shigeru Nakamura, it demanded an explanation on the move.
"Pakatan Rakyat strongly protests the deportation of the leader of the opposition, who is also a senior member of the Malaysian Parliament, which is very surprising considering the fact that Anwar's office recorded no issues outstanding that may bar his entry into Japan when it made inquiries last week with the Embassy of Japan in Kuala Lumpur.
"As such, we demand a clarification and an immediate apology for this truly regretful treatment of the opposition leader," the letter states.
It was jointly signed by the parliamentary whips of all three component parties in Pakatan - Azmin Ali (PKR-Gombak), Anthony Loke (DAP-Seremban) and PAS deputy whip Abdul Khalid Samad (Shah Alam).
The letter was also copied to Foreign Affairs Minister Anifah Aman and Foreign Affairs Ministry secretary-general Othman Hashim.
Anwar who landed at Narita Airport in Tokyo was informed by Japanese immigration officers to take the first flight back home or face deportation.
The opposition leader had said the Japanese officers cited a "latest report" in 2013 for his deportation but provided no details.
Anifah denied that Malaysia was involved in Anwar's barring but said the Japanese authority has power to block entry to "undesirable" persons.
(6) A sense of entitlement all the way to Japan, 21 January 2014
by Huan Cheng Guan
Last Sunday, Jan 19, 2014, opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was denied entry to Japan and subsequently deported. While not only an inconvenience, it most certainly was an embarrassment for a man whose arrogance and sense of entitlement now reaches all the way to Japan.
As is the case in Malaysia, entering Japan is not automatically the right of a person of foreign nationality. Rather, permission to enter Malaysia, Japan or any other country for that matter is at the discretion of the receiving country. To say otherwise, as Anwar has done, is not only foolish but unbecoming.
With this in mind, let’s give Anwar’s statement a whirl and hold him accountable to some inconvenient truths? Anwar said: “I arrived at Narita International Airport at 6.45 this morning from Kuala Lumpur but was barred from entry by the Japanese immigration authorities and was told to board the first flight back home or face deportation.”
Anwar is correct in saying he was barred. Japanese immigration authorities would have taken him into an immigration interview room and eventually informed him he was not permitted to enter Japan. “Told to board the first flight back home“, was in fact deportation. He did not face deportation. He was deported. He would not have exited the terminal to check-in for his return flight. Rather, he would have been escorted onto the plane immediately.
Anwar says: “When I asked why I was not allowed to enter, they told me that it was because of my previous conviction in 1999. I told them this could not be a valid reason on account of the fact that prior to this I had already entered Tokyo without hindrance on three previous occasions in 2006, 2009, and 2012.”
On the Japanese ‘Embarkation/Disembarkation Card for Foreigner’, given to you on the plane before arrival, there is the following question: “Have you ever been found guilty in a criminal case in Japan or in another country?”
If he was honest and answered ‘Yes’ then Article 5 section 4 of the Japanese Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition act would come into play: Article 5 - Any alien who falls under any of the following items shall be denied permission for landing in Japan.
Section 4 - A person who has been convicted of a violation of any law or regulation of Japan, or of any other country, and has been sentenced to imprisonment with or without work for one year or more, or to an equivalent penalty.
In short, his previous conviction, regardless of Anwar entering in 2006, 2009 and 2012, is in fact a valid reason for him being refused entry to Japan. Furthermore, if he was honest and answered ‘Yes’ upon his arrival his three times previous, then this would have served as an automatic red-flag and a sure fire subsequent interview.
Therefore, it seems highly suspect that he entered Japan in 2006, 2009 and 2012 “without hindrance”. Unless, of course, he said ‘No’ on his entry card. Of real importance here is that Japanese immigration officers have the legal right to deny entry to anyone without explanation.
Anwar says: “I told the immigration authorities there must be some mix-up in this matter and protested that it was not proper for them to bar me from entering the country without a bona fide and valid reason. As I persisted in asking for an explanation, they finally told me that they had to take this action “because of a latest report” possibly in 2013.”
First, Japanese immigration authorities do not need a “bona fide and valid reason” to deny entry. Again and it is worth repeating given Anwar’s arrogance and sense of entitlement: Entering Japan is not the right of any foreign national. And that includes him. Japanese immigration officers have the legal right to deny entry to anyone without explanation. And that also includes him.
Doesn’t pass the sniff test
Second, since he has a conviction on his record then this is a “bona fide and valid reason”, despite his gaining entry in 2006, 2009 and 2012, to deny entry. No mix-up here I’m afraid. Third, so let’s get this straight. Anwar persisted in asking for an explanation and “they finally told me they had to take this action because of a latest report in 2013”.
He seems to suggest that “they” didn’t want to but reluctantly had to deny his entry “because of a latest report”. This just does not pass the sniff test. First of all, Japanese immigration officers are not in the business of disclosing why or why not someone was denied entry. In fact, under Japanese law immigration officers do not have to provide any justification criteria or reason for the denial of entry to a foreign national.
Japanese immigration officers, or government officials for that matter, do not give in easily. Let alone to provide such a wishy-washy explanation, that Anwar just happens to use the all too predictable argument of “Hidden Hands” at work. Anwar says: “I then had no choice but to take the next flight home at 10.45am.” Indeed, there was no choice.
Anwar says: “I had gone to Tokyo on a personal invitation by Mr Sasakawa, chairperson of the Nippon Foundation, to present a paper on Muslim Democrats. As a routine pre-travel procedure, my office had made inquiries with the Japanese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur last week and was informed that there would be no issues outstanding which would be an impediment to my entering the country.”
I am not sure blaming the Japanese Embassy is at all fair. They could not possibly have foreseen nor be held accountable for what would happen on the ground with Japanese Immigration at Narita airport.
Anwar says: “I protest in the strongest terms this unwarranted action of the Japanese government in refusing me entry and denying my legitimate rights to travel freely without let or hindrance. It is indeed inconceivable for one of the world’s leading democracies to take this unprecedented action under such tenuous grounds and leaves me with the impression that hidden hands may be at work here.”
Unwarranted is a matter of personal opinion. Anwar’s stubborn arrogance and self-righteousness is nauseous. Anwar like every other foreigner does not have a “legitimate right to travel freely without let or hindrance” into Japan. Entering Japan is not the right of a person of foreign nationality and the right to travel is at the discretion of the Japanese government and Japanese immigration.
By no means is what Japanese immigration authorities did unprecedented. To say this is just plain nonsense. Anwar says: “In this regard, I demand an explanation from the Malaysian Foreign Affairs Minister, in particular, as to what role Wisma Putra has played in this scandalous episode in respect of the so-called “latest report” that has purportedly led to my being forcibly evicted from Japan."
Scandalous? Anwar is frustrated at the inconvenience caused. And even more so he is undeniably embarrassed. This is understandable. However, to claim “Hidden Hands” are at work is Anwar’s usual conspiracy theory nonsense. Why didn’t those same “Hidden Hands” ensure entry refusal the three previous visits to Japan? Or to any other country Anwar has visited.
It is becoming all too predictable of Anwar to ‘when in doubt’ blame the government. He just loves playing the victim. Either way, I would be willing to bet a bag of kangkung that the Japanese would be none too pleased with Anwar’s insinuation that Japanese authorities would agree to Malaysian “Hidden Hands” requesting that they refuse entry to a foreign national. That is simply un-Japanese.
A man of the world that Anwar is should know this. A man that aspires to be our prime minister should behave better.
・HUAN CHENG GUAN is president of Centre for Political Awareness.
(7) Boycott Japanese products, says PKR, 21 January 2014
PKR Youth today led a small group of protesters outside the Japanese embassy in Kuala Lumpur calling for a boycott of products from the land of the rising sun.
Vexed that Opposition Leader Anwar Ibrahim was barred from entering Japan on Jan 19, the protesters also stomped on posters featuring the Japanese flag.
PKR Youth chief Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin, who submitted a memorandum to the embassy, said the party is seeking an explanation and apology for Anwar's forced deportation from Narita Airport in Tokyo.
"This is shocking as Anwar has never had any problems (entering Japan) before this...
"We believe that Japan's actions are excessive and goes against Article 13 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights," added the Bukit Katil MP.
The memorandum was accepted by embassy representative Masa Hiro and two other officials.
Shamsul was accompanied by about 30 people who protested the action against Anwar by holding placards which called for a boycott of Japanese products.
The group also burned posters in front of the embassy at Jalan Stonor.
However, PKR Youth denied that those who burned and stomped on the posters with the Japanese flags are its members.
The Japanese embassy reportedly told media that Anwar was barred as he did not obtain a special permit, a requirement for those who have been convicted of a crime.
Anwar had reportedly obtained the permit the previous times he went to Japan following his 1999 conviction, the year after he was sacked as deputy prime minister.
Anwar was convicted of sodomy and corruption, but the verdict was partially overturned in 2004. He was released from prison then as he had already served his sentence for corruption.
PKR, however, insisted that Anwar's office had contacted the Kuala Lumpur Japanese embassy and the Japanese Foreign Ministry to check if he required the special permit this time, but was told it was not required.
Anwar was in Tokyo to give a talk on the invitation of the Nippon Foundation.
(Some excerpts from the readers’ comments)
Awakened: The Hawkish right wing Abe has been trying to re ignite nationalism in Japan for the past few months since he was re elected as PM . He is trying to rally support from a few SEA countries of late to justify his action on Dayou island against China . Malaysia is one of one the country he is trying to improve relationship further . He is also trying to change the constitution to strengthen their military might. There is a hidden agenda by disallowing Anwar to enter Japan.
Sodom me Sodom you: Now that's just bloody rude of Japan. How insolent to turn away the man who has organized the good fight to clean this corrupt nation. Nothing less than a public apology will suffice. For the time being, I'm going with buy Japanese last, that's easy now that the Koreans have everything that the Japanese used to peddle. You've obviously turned away the wrong man, Nippon.
Whatsup: Shame on you Japan! Bear in mind, Anwar is the leader whose party the majority (52%) of voters voted to lead Malaysia at GE13, and not the present 47% minority government (actual percentage may even be much lower). Give him due respect and stop doing the bidding of a sham government. What's wrong with you Japan?
Bernard Phillips: The Japanese should not be allowed to get away with this. PKR, PAS, DAP and other NGOs should now organise a rally in front of their embassy in KL and let them know that they just cannot treat our leaders in this shameful manner.
wg321: The Japanese got the hint. They need to get big contracts and other big business from Najib. That is why they complied with " I help you, you help me" The Japanese are a very practical people. They are not interested in human rights when it comes to doing business.
Hang Tuah: PJ Cannot boycott their products lah. Too many including my trusty old car. How about demo in front of Japan Embassy and invite Al Jazeera, BBC,etc. etc. and let the whole world know what Japan can resort to.
My Opinion: Try spending some time ( a few months as a friend) with a Japanese, you will discover they are very ill-informed and not exposed about global perspective and other culture. The recent visit by Abe to the War Shrine just show how arrogant he is. Boycott ... we don't them.
mushiro: Japan succumbed to pressures by the Najib government for business consideration. Values like human rights, democratic practices and freedom is not followed anymore by Japan. PR should start a boycott Japanese products campaign and go for the better South Korean products.
Anonymous_40f4: To the Japanese its all about big business and money. They are pleasing Najib to get the bullet train contract for a Japanese contractor with lots of hidden commissions for Mr.altantuya?
lukeking: the Japanese obliged to BN gobenment out of face value? but for the gobenment to even think of such conspiracy is beyond comprehension. What can they achieve? follow DSAI everywhere, then ban him for each country? Sad.
(End)
