Press Statement
The work permit of the Bangladeshi man interviewed by Al Jazeera has been unlawfully revoked
13 July 2020
We view with grave concern the revelation yesterday by the Inspector-General of Police that the Immigration Department has revoked the work permit of the Bangladeshi man interviewed by Al Jazeera in the highly controversial documentary “Locked Up in Malaysia’s Lockdown”.
The extent the authorities are willing to go to in order to hunt down one man for merely speaking up on his experience of injustice to the media is alarming. Through no fault of his own, the man has now been rendered undocumented by the authorities.
The revocation of the Bangladeshi man’s permit is a blatant abuse of power and flouting of the law by the Immigration Department. Section 9(1)(c) of the Immigration Act 1959/63 only allows the Director General of Immigration to cancel a permit if it is prejudicial to public order, public security, public health or morality in Malaysia.
It is inconceivable that the mere action of highlighting his plight to the media would fall under any of the categories listed under section 9(1)(c). It seems as if the Immigration Department is trying to legitimise the witch hunt on this man for daring to speak out against it. This act only serves to strengthen the allegation that migrants are being unfairly treated and targeted by the authorities.
The illegitimate manhunt and persecution of this innocent man must not be allowed to continue. We demand the authorities to immediately halt its unjustified and unlawful pursuit of this man and strongly urge the government to immediately step in and stop this clear abuse of power by the authorities.
Issued by:
Zaid Malek
Coordinator
Lawyers for Liberty