Habeas corpus bid withdrawn after Singaporean released by Immigration

The habeas corpus application for a Singaporean detained by the Immigration Department was withdrawn today following his release from prison.

Pius Gilbert Louis was arrested in Johor Bahru on Oct 9 and detained at the local immigration camp for over a month, despite holding a valid visa to remain in Malaysia until Nov 7.

The reason for Gilbert's detention is unknown, although he was initially slated to be deported.

A habeas corpus application, if successful, would have compelled the Immigration Department to bring Gilbert to court, in order to determine if his detention was lawful.

Lawyer Arun Kasi, representing Gilbert, withdrew the application before Justice Mohd Nazlan Mohd Ghazali at the Kuala Lumpur High Court, following his client's release by the Immigration Department.

Gilbert was subsequently given a special pass for seven days after his release, said Arun.

The Immigration Department director-general had been named as a respondent in the case.

[More to follow] - Mkini