Anwar Ibrahim blames 'hidden hands' after Japan refuses him entry
Malaysian politician sees 'hidden hands' behind denial of entry to Japan
Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim said yesterday he was "puzzled and shocked" at being denied entry to Japan, as his party questioned whether Malaysia's ruling coalition was behind the move.
Anwar said he arrived at Narita International Airport on a personal visit early on Sunday and was told by immigration authorities he was barred because of his 1999 conviction for sodomy and corruption.
The controversial conviction, which cast the then-rising political star out of Malaysia's longtime ruling party and into jail for six years, is viewed by many as a conspiracy by Anwar's enemies.
It is not the way for a democratic country to treat an opposition political leader
"I am puzzled and shocked by the incident," Anwar, 66, said. "It is not the way for a democratic country to treat an opposition political leader and a veteran politician." He called on Kuala Lumpur to "probe this incident and lodge a strong protest against Tokyo."
Anwar said he had visited Japan on three occasions since 2006 without incident.
Officials told him that they were responding to a more recent "report" against him, he said.
Anwar added that he had been invited to Japan to deliver a speech on inter-religious harmony by a Japanese NGO. He returned to Malaysia on a later flight.
In a blog posting, Anwar said he felt "hidden hands may be at work here" and demanded an explanation from Malaysia's foreign ministry.