Subang MP says Cambodian opposition figure was on private visit

 

Subang MP Wong Chen has highlighted that Cambodian opposition figure Sam Rainsy and his wife Saumura came to Malaysia for a brief private visit.

In a social media post, he indicated that Rainsy arrived on Monday night (May 29) and left early on Wednesday morning (May 31) after a day filled with recreation.

“We have been close friends for almost six years. He was on his way back from Australia to France, so he planned a stopover in Malaysia for a day.

“Prior to being in Australia, he was in Indonesia without any fuss from the Cambodian government. Rainsy arrived (in Malaysia) at 8.30pm on May 29 on a commercial flight. I was at the airport to greet him,” said Wong.

The MP indicated that he originally had no intention of posting details and photos of the visit as it was a private one.

“However, since the matter has garnered some media attention, I hope the above clarifies what transpired on May 30,” said Wong.

The primary reason for the media attention was a Khmer Times report which indicated that Rainsy was deported from Malaysia and even featured Cambodia’s authoritarian leader Hun Sen thanking Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim about it.

However, Wisma Putra subsequently issued a statement saying that Anwar was unaware of Rainsy’s visit.

Wong Chen (right) with Sam Rainsy and his wife Saumura at the KLCC

Pasir Gudang MP Hassan Karim was puzzled by the various reports and sought a clearer explanation as to whether or not there was a deportation, particularly as Rainsy posted photos of himself at the Dewan Rakyat with Wong.

“I organised a greet and meet in Parliament with three non-executive MPs, interested in free and fair elections, human rights and Asean,” explained Wong in his post.

“The meet and greet was for an hour. As you are aware, Parliament is a legislative body and is a separate entity from the executive body or the government.

“The rest of the morning of the 30th was more relaxed and easy. We visited the KLCC and the Sultan Abdul Samad Building. After that, we had lunch of nasi briyani and durian.

“Then he rested at my home for a few hours. At 5pm, we went to the supermarket where we bought some fruits that Rainsy wanted to eat; star fruit, jambu air, ciku and mangoes. We had dinner at my home and he and Saumura returned to the hotel at 10pm.

“The next day my driver drove him and Saumura to the airport, where they boarded a commercial flight back to France at 10.15am,” said Wong. - Mkini