Bourdon's detention 'puts Malaysia back in limelight'

The arrest and imminent deportation of French rights lawyer William Bourdon today drew strong reaction from PAS's Kuala Selangor member of parliament Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, who said the news put the country back into international limelight following the coverage of Bersih's massive rally on July 9.

Dzulkefly (above) said had Bourdon been allowed to attend the events planned for him, there would not be much media publicity.

“Right after his return (from overseas), Najib (Razak) continues his bad attitude. Sure enough, this will put us back into the international limelight again," he told Harakahdaily in response to Bourdon's arrest at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport by Immigration officials who entered the aircraft he was in.


“But when a foreigner is arrested, one who is a human rights lawyer in French courts, it only worsens the already bad situation,” he said.

Bourdon is in Malaysia to speak at three events under local human rights group Suaram's 'Ops Scorpene', a project to seek a closure to the murder case of Altantuya Shariibuu, who was brutally murdered in November 2006.

Although two security officers were sentenced to death by the court, questions remain on the motive of her murder, as well as several claims and counter claims on Najib's alleged personal involvement. Central to these was the RM7.3 billion purchase of two French 'Scorpene' submarines. It was claimed that Altantuya's murder had to do with unpaid kickbacks owed to her, the reason why she had hounded Najib's aide Abdul Razak Baginda in the days leading to her death.

"Truth will be revealed"

Bourdon, who represents Suaram in the impending French trial, addressed a fund-raising event in Penang. Suaram aims to raise RM100,000 to finance the trial, which could commence in an open court in France as early as next month.

Earlier in Penang, Bourdon said his investigation could take years depending on access to information, documentation and cooperation extended by the Malaysian authorities.

"We will reveal and disclose details on all the beneficiaries. I am confident that Malaysians can overcome difficulties and I wish you courage," he told the crowd.

Bourdon had been scheduled to attend another event in Petaling Jaya tonight, sharing the stage with PAS deputy president Mohamad Sabu.

Meanwhile, Dzulkefly said the instruction to arrest Bourdon must have come from Najib’s administration to prevent details about the French investigation from emerging in public.

"This move (by Najib) will backfire on his administration and himself in terms of public perception,” warned the PAS central commiittee member.