Malaysia to Deport French Lawyer in Graft Probe

KUALA LUMPUR - A French lawyer for a rights group in an inquiry into alleged corruption linked to Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak was detained July 22 in Kuala Lumpur and will be deported, the government said.

The Malaysian government has dismissed graft allegations linked to a $1.1-billion submarine purchase in 2002, when Najib was defense minister, saying it is an opposition-backed attempt to smear his image.

At the request of Malaysian human rights group Suaram, French judicial officials opened a probe in March 2010 into the sale of the two Scorpene submarines, which were made by French shipbuilder DCN.

William Bourdon, Suaram's lawyer in France, was detained by immigration officials when his plane arrived at Kuala Lumpur International Airport on a domestic flight July 22, he said.

"After a few questions, two hours of waiting and different transfers, a deportation order was served on me," he told AFP.

"I told the Malaysian police that I did not understand this decision, which is devoid of any justification. I was not given any explanation, and nor was the embassy representative who was with me."

Bourdon had arrived in Malaysia on July 21 to speak at a Suaram fundraiser in Penang state, and had been due to speak at another function July 22.

Immigration director general Alias Ahmad confirmed in a statement that Bourdon had been arrested and would be deported.

"Investigations by the immigration department revealed that Bourdon had violated the terms of his social visit pass," he said without elaborating.

Bourdon said he was told he would be sent back to France on Sunday evening and would be held in the airport detention centre in the interim, but took the initiative to leave as soon as possible.

"This expulsion is serious interference with the exercise of the legal profession, which is protected under international law," he said.

"I wonder if the expulsion isn't a sign of a certain nervousness among the Malaysian authorities."

Suaram alleges DCN paid a commission of 114 million euros ($160 million) to a company called Perimekar, which is linked to Abdul Razak Baginda, an associate of Najib's.

Abdul Razak has been acquitted of charges of abetting the 2006 murder of his mistress, Mongolian interpreter Altantuya Shaariibuu, which the opposition has also been trying to link to Najib.

But Najib has denied any link to that case. The Malaysian government has also maintained that the submarine deal, brokered when Najib was defense minister, was free of graft and that Perimekar had not improperly benefited.