Narendra Babu, an employee of IT-giant IBM at its subsidiary in Bangalore, was detained last Friday by immigration authorities at the Kuala Lumpur International Airport as he was returning to India after a work-related visit to Malaysia.

The incident immediately rekindled memories of the detention of more than 200 Indian IT professionals at the Palm Court condominium in Kuala Lumpur in March, o­n suspicion of being illegal immigrants. They, however, possessed valid documents.

Release expected today

Babu, who has contacted the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, is expected to fly home today, based o­n an assurance by immigration officers.

An official at the diplomatic mission said: "We sent our representative yesterday to the immigration department to request his release, but were told that they were unable to release him any earlier than today."

The official, who declined to be named, said the mission was still uncertain as to why Babu was detained.

"Maybe he overstayed his visa.... but we say 'maybe' because the details are known o­nly by the company, IBM," said the official.

He also said Babu's problems did not involve an employment pass as he does not work for IBM Malaysia.

"He is an employee with IBM's Indian subsidiary. He was sent here for some official job," he added.

IBM mum

According to a Press Trust of India report o­n May 26, Babu had apparently overstayed his visa after a misunderstanding with immigration officials over his application for an extension.

Babu was reported to have applied for a two-week extension of his visa o­n May 13 as it was due to expire in three days' time.

"He presumed the request was granted as he was not told anything by the immigration department when it returned his passport. Neither did the stamp o­n the passport say anything clearly," said the report.

IBM Malaysia has declined to provide further details o­n the situation.

Still sensitive

The detention of Babu comes at a still sensitive period for Malaysia-India relations after the fiasco in March when the police arrested over 200 Indian IT professionals o­n suspicion of visa violations, although most of them were legally employed in Malaysia.

The incident caused outrage in India and threatened severe consequences for Malaysian businesses as New Delhi considered reviewing its contracts with Malaysia.

The incident also led to the cancellation of at least o­ne official visit by a government minister and a boycott of an international hockey tournament held in Malaysia..

The Malaysian government later expressed its regret to India for "procedural problems" committed by police personnel, following an inquiry into the raid.