Prominent human rights lawyer Dr Adnan Buyong Nasution has little doubt that Malaysian authorities stopped him from entering the country last night because of his planned programme in Kuala Lumpur, rather than immigration regulations.

He now plans to take his case to the International Commission of Jurists, of which he is a member, on the basis that the act to deny him entry was "undemocratic and without basis".

Adnan had arrived at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport at 11pm from Singapore, with colleagues Paskah Irianto and Dr Bunga Kejora Trihusodo.

He had been invited by Keadilan Youth deputy chief Saifuddin Nasution to speak on the trial of jailed former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim.

However, Adnan and Paskah were stopped by immigration officials and put on a shuttle flight back to Singapore at about midnight. Bunga, a fellow lawyer in Adnan's legal firm in Jakarta, was allowed entry.

Adnan, who rose to prominence during the reformasi era in 1998, has travelled without encountering restrictions to countries in Asia, Europe and Africa to speak on human rights.

Lesson eludes Mahathir

Keadilan secretary-general Sahri Bahri, who called a press conference at the party headquarters in Petaling Jaya today, condemned the action of the immigration officers.

Bunga, who arrived during the press conference, later said Adnan's opinion was that the officers had acted because he had been invited by opposition parties and Anwar's family.

Adnan, whom she called Abang was to have stayed in Malaysia for two days, during which he was scheduled to have spoken on the legal and ethical aspects of Anwar's court cases at PAS headquarters in Taman Melewar tonight.

Another talk had been scheduled for opposition members of parliament over lunch tomorrow.

"Abang told me to convey to the Malaysian public that (prime minister Dr) Mahathir (Mohamad) has not learnt anything at all from the changes that took place in neighbouring countries, that such dictatorship will eventually collapse," Bunga said.

"Mahathir's authoritative acts will not kill the people's fighting spirit for a better and just society, but rather will heighten it even more."

Immigration law

Relating details of yesterday's incident Bunga said they noticed that the immigration officer took a particular interest in Adnan's passport and referred to another officer.

"The officer then told Abang that he was not allowed to enter the country. Abang asked him why and was told that it was a directive from the country's leader," she said.

"So Abang asked for the identity of the person (who had issued the directive) as well as to see him. The officer appeared to phone someone, and said the person was not available."

However, Bunga expressed doubt that he had even made a call on his handphone.

For the next hour, Adnan repeatedly asked for the real reason behind the denial of entry, explaining that he was a lawyer on a working visit.

The argument was not a heated one, Bunga said, because he realised the officer was a subordinate carrying out orders.

The officer claimed that Adnan's case fell within the categories of people affected by Section 8(3) of the Immigration Act, which refers to "members of prohibited classes".

Among others, this regulates entry against those with invalid documents, prior record of conviction, or those suspected of wanting to overthrow the government by violent means.

Bunga also claimed Adnan was not allowed access to his luggage while at the airport. He had asked for his bag so that he could take medication, because he had undergone heart surgery recently.

"It made me sad when the officer replied that the luggage would be sent to Singapore and that he could open it there. They didn't even care," she said.

Memorandum on Anwar

Adnan, meanwhile, related his experience to the Indonesian media at a press conference in Jakarta at 3pm today. It was held at the Legal Aid Association head office.

While in Kuala Lumpur, Adnan was to have delivered a memorandum signed by prominent leaders and groups in Indonesia, urging the Malaysian government to allow Anwar to seek medical treatment of his choice.

Among those believed to have signed the memorandum are Indonesian Parliament Speaker Dr Amien Rais, Parti Ummah Islam chairperson Deliar Noer, Nahdatul Ulamah head Sallehuddin Wahid and heads of major media organisations.

Keadilan's Saifuddin said the party planned to hold a tele-conference with Adnan in Indonesia so as not to disappoint those who had made plans to attend the cancelled functions.

On further developments relating to the memorandum, he said Opposition Leader Abdul Hadi Awang would hold a press conference at Parliament tomorrow.