Haris Ibrahim denied Aussie entry on fears he might overstay to escape Sedition charges at home?

Lawyer and activist Haris Ibrahim has been barred from entering Australia due to his impending sedition trial.

The country refused to issue an entry visa to Haris, scuttling his plans to tour Australia to meet academics and supporters.

It is believed he could pose a “high risk” if allowed to enter Australia, which does not have an extradition treaty with Malaysia, according to a Global Bersih source in Melbourne.

Haris, who is also the founder of Anything But Umno (ABU) group, is appealing against Australia’s decision, failing which he would most likely file a fresh application, the source added.

Haris could not be reached for comment today.

He was scheduled to be in Sydney on September 28 to participate in a forum with Australian National University (ANU) visiting fellow Greg Lopez.

Lopez is also the Malaysia section editor of ANU’s online publication, New Mandala.

Haris is also scheduled to be in Canberra and Melbourne.

The source said various non-governmental organisations such as Bersih and Saya Anak Bangsa Malaysia (SABM) have informed their supporters about the cancellation of events planned.

Haris, PKR vice-president Tian Chua, former Umno leader Tamrin Ghafar and activist Safwan Anang were charged with sedition for allegedly uttering words that have the tendency to call on Malaysians to change the government by unlawful means during a May 13 forum at the Kuala Lumpur and Selangor Chinese Assembly Hall.

All four pleaded not guilty.

Haris’s trial is scheduled to take place early next year.

TMI