Date:11/10/2002 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2002/10/11/stories/2002101104111400.htm

International

Malaysia deports terror-suspect

By P. S. Suryanarayana

SINGAPORE Oct. 10. Malaysia today deported a terrorist-suspect, who is now a disenfranchised American, to the United States following Washington's request for assistance in this high-profile case. The suspect, Ahmed Ibrahim Bilal, was studying at the International Islamic University Malaysia when he was first identified by the U.S. authorities as a terrorist-suspect who, along with several others, was alleged to have plotted to wage war against America under the overall auspices of the Al-Qaeda.

The deportation followed a brief legal interlude that ended with the withdrawal of a habeas corpus petition that was filed on behalf of the suspect. The application was withdrawn even as it became clear that the Malaysian authorities would treat Bilal's status as the open-and-shut case of an illegal immigrant. The prism of anti-terror international politics looming large on the scene, the Malaysian Prime Minister, Mahathir Mohamad, today considered it necessary to clarify his administration's perspective without wishing that his country be judged on the basis of a specific case. Responding to the suggestions that Malaysia, a Muslim-majority state, has moved against a student of Islam for the fear of being accused of harbouring a terrorist-suspect, Dr. Mahathir said: "We go according to the law (in Malaysia), not according to rumours and public opinion. If the law says you cannot keep a person with no document (of citizenship), then, that is it. We are not talking about offences. We are talking about (a person) not having a document (of citizenship).''

Underlining that Malaysia was not dancing to the "anti-terror'' tunes of the U.S., Dr. Mahathir said: ``We go according to the law. In this country (Malaysia), the rule of law applies. If a person has no document (of citizenship), he has to leave the country.''