The President for the Centre for Political Awareness Datuk Huan Cheng Guan said in a statement issued here today that entering any country is not automatic privilege of any foreigner and is dependent on the discretion of the host nation.
On Sunday, Anwar was barred from entering Japan when he arrived at Narita International Airport and was told to board the first flight back or face deportation. He went there on the personal invitation by the chairman of Nippon Foundation to present a paper on Muslim Democrats.
Anwar protested that it was not proper for the Japanese Immigration authorities to bar him from entering the country without a bona fide and valid reason. Moreover, he claimed that he had entered Tokyo without hindrance on three previous occasions in 2006, 2009 and 2012.
He also claimed that his office had made inquiries with the Japanese Embassy in Kuala Lumpur as routine pre-travel procedure and was given a go ahead.
Top this, Huan said; "I am not sure blaming the Japanese Embassy is at all fair. They cannot be held accountable for what happened at the immigration checkpoint at Narita Airport".
On Monday, Foreign Minister Datuk Seri Anifah Aman clarified that the Malaysian government had nothing to do with the Japanese government's decision to bar Anwar from entering that country Anifah also noted that every country had its sovereign right to deny entry to any person and they're not obliged to explain their decision.
Bernama
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Japan says Anwar failed to apply for visa
KUALA LUMPUR, January 21, 2014 (AFP) -- Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim was barred entry to Japan at the weekend because he did not obtain a visa, an official with Japan's embassy in Kuala Lumpur said Tuesday.
Anwar had arrived at Narita International Airport on a personal visit early Sunday but was turned away by immigration officials, who cited his controversial 1999 conviction for sodomy and corruption.
Anwar speculated that "hidden hands" were behind the refusal, and his party questioned whether Malaysia's ruling coalition played a role.
But embassy official Tomoko Nagai said that while Japan last year lifted a requirement that Malaysians obtain visas to enter the country, Anwar is still required to have one due to his past criminal record.
She said Anwar did not apply for a visa, as he had for previous visits.
"Japan could not consider a special arrangement for Anwar since we did not receive any prior application for a visa," she said.
Anwar could not immediately be reached for comment.
The opposition politician was once heir-apparent to the leadership of Malaysia's ruling coalition but was cast from power over the sodomy and corruption charges -- viewed by many as a set-up by his political enemies.
He was jailed in 1999 for six years.
Anwar said he was "puzzled and shocked" over being denied entry to Japan and demanded explanations from the Japanese and Malaysian governments.
Foreign Minister Anifah Aman on Monday dismissed any Malaysian government involvement.
Anwar said he had been invited by a Japanese NGO to deliver a speech on religious harmony.
Beginning with the 2008 elections, the ruling coalition has steadily lost ground in parliament to an Anwar-led opposition.
The opposition accuses the coalition of a long-running campaign of harassment including trumped-up criminal charges designed to smear Anwar and trip up the opposition's surge.
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