Mr. Anwar Ibrahim's Weekend Trouble Here in Japan

[user46182]

Just wondering what some of the views are here about this matter, which I don't think requires a link to a story, does it?

What jumps out at me, and I find very puzzling, is they cite a 1999 conviction, yet I understand Mr. Anwar was allowed into the country three times after 1999: 2006, 2009, and 2012.

Might we conclude that the officials charged with guarding Japan from dangerous people need to upgrade their methods for spotting these so dangerous types so that three times before they recognized the dire danger to the nation, in this case, they don't let such dangerous people in?

Of course, I mean that somebody needs to be fired for not doing their duty in 2006, 2009, and 2012, right?

 

[thomas]

Sorry, had to google the story. Member of the opposition party, convicted over "sodomy and corruption"? Definitely fishy.

Regardless, Japan has barred foreign visitors for lesser reasons than sodomy.

 

[Majestic]

Might we conclude that the officials charged with guarding Japan from dangerous people need to upgrade their methods for spotting these so dangerous types so that three times before they recognized the dire danger to the nation, in this case, they don't let such dangerous people in?
Of course, I mean that somebody needs to be fired for not doing their duty in 2006, 2009, and 2012, right?

Australian news service is reporting something a little less sinister that what you conclude:

"However, embassy official Tomoko Nagai says that while Japan lifted a requirement that Malaysians obtain visas to enter the country last year, Mr Anwar is still required to have one due to his past criminal record.
She says Mr Anwar did not apply for a visa, as he had for previous visits"

Japan says Malaysian opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim failed to apply for visa - Australia Network News (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)

 

[user46182]

Thank you for the clarification. That has a ring of logic to it, thus I should drawdown from my rather combative style and go find out why the source I drew on hadn't provided the full picture.

Appreciate the help on this.

I better call that immigration official and cancel that investigation, too.

 

[Hezam]

What makes him dangerous person ?
Can you please tell me what crimes Anwar committed.
i know a japanese man in the japanese press who is a friend of Anwar, he told me Anwar is a victim.

 

[AJ Junior]

Some Malaysian news report for additional information.

Local Malaysian media reported that Mr Anwar's visits in 2006, 2009 and 2012 were done with prior visa application. Since middle last year, Japan had allowed 30 days visa free travel, however, those with past prison sentence served need to still apply for visa.

In this report, ﾂ'I never blamed Wisma Putra for Japan fiasco' | Free Malaysia Today, Mr Anwar said that his office had made prior checks with the Japanese Embassy in KL whether he needs visa, but the Japanese embassy denied there were any calls or letters from Mr Anwar's office on his current visit. The last paragraph of that article certainly show that the Japanese Embassy is pressing Mr Anwar's office whether any inquiries were actually made. In other reports, the Japanese Embassy also said that the Narita authorities had asked Anwar whether he would like to appeal but he did not do so ﾂ'Anwar did not follow procedure' - Nation | The Star Online.

Mr Anwar's Justice Party's Youth Wing made a noisy protest (attendedit seems by about a dozen individuals) in front of the Japanese Embassy and burned poorly painted Japanese flags while calling for a boycott of Japanese goods, which later got a resounding scolding by Mr Anwar himself Anwar berates PKR Youth for stomping on Japan flag | Malaysia | The Malay Mail Online.

The Malaysian blogosphere is also filled by at least four rather unlikely explanations of the so-called "hidden hands" and "secret reports" claims by Mr Anwar. First, that the Japanese govt was bribed by the Malaysian government to bar Anwar's entry. Second, that the Japanese govt is vying for high speed rail contracts in Malaysia so Japan is totally willing to do whatever the Malaysian govt is asking. Thirdly, that the Japanese govt is upset by claims by Mr Anwar's opposition coalition that Japan paid some US 70 billion in compensations for World War 2 attrocities in the 1990's and these were pocketed by the govt (in reality war claims were paid in the 1960's, the sum was much smaller, I think a few million dollars), Fourthly, the Japanese authorities barred Anwar's entry because he was invited by a Yakuza linked organization to give a talk on Islam and democracy.

Personally, I think somebody in Mr Anwar's staff did not do his or her job in clarifying his travel arrangements with the Japanese Embassy, if any clarification was actually asked. The whole matter seems to have been blown out of proportion once Anwar claimed there was some sort of conspiracy. The Japanese, as usual,were sticklers for formality and bureucracy, though at least the Narita authorities gave Anwar the chance to appeal but Anwar did not do so.

 

[Mark of Zorro]

What jumps out at me, and I find very puzzling, is they cite a 1999 conviction, yet I understand Mr. Anwar was allowed into the country three times after 1999: 2006, 2009, and 2012.

There is a simple explanation. People are not perfect, and so immigration inspectors are not expected to be. They miss details. Its natural and unavoidable. Each time he came in, it was a different inspector. He was just unlucky that time.

Of course there are other, more sinister explanations, such as that particular inspector being a jerk. Or that particular inspector being stupid, and other inspectors realizing his convictions were either bogus or at least not remotely a threat to Japan.

I think the above is revealing how I feel about the incident. I think its ridiculous. His conviction for sodomy was over-turned, thus it has no relation.

For some reason, his conviction for corruption remains, but I find that most unjust. That particular conviction arose from an accusation that he interfered with the investigation into the sodomy charge. Since that conviction stands, I assume its true. BUT, its clear the guy was being framed, and his reaction to being framed was to resort to an illegal action to avoid being framed. You can't blame a man for that. The entire motive for corruption rests on the bogus charge of sodomy, which he did spend years in jail for.

All convictions should have over-turned. Barring that, immigration inspectors should be more sensible and flexible and also more informed.

BTW, it reminds of the idiot inspectors in Germany who charged people insane tarrifs for importation of high end musical equipment worth more than my house and my neighbor's houses put together. They charged them even if the instruments were on loan, even if the people were just visiting Germany to play. Simple fact is, that a great many of the low level people in all types of law enforcement are idiots, buttholes or both.

 

[AJ Junior]

There is a simple explanation. People are not perfect, and so immigration inspectors are not expected to be. They miss details. Its natural and unavoidable. Each time he came in, it was a different inspector. He was just unlucky that time.

Yes, there was a simple explanation. The Japanese Embassy in Malaysia said that Mr Anwar previously entered Japan with visa but not the visit in January 2014. The Embassy further explained that the new visa relaxation rules do not cover individuals with past prison history, like Mr Anwar. Notwithstanding the politics around Mr Anwar's past convictions, the rules are already clear and Mr Anwar should have applied for a visa.

The Embassy also said that Mr Anwar was given a chance to appeal, usually Japanese bureaucratic-speak in which Japan would still allow Anwar to enter Japan if he appealed, but Mr Anwar did not do so. On Mr Anwar's part, he said he did not have the time to appeal since he wanted to catch the next flight back. Mr Anwar has also said that he does not wish to pursue the matter any further.

I think the current controversy could have been avoided if Mr Anwar did not allege there was some sort of secret controversy to stop him from entering Japan. It is most likely that the whole matter could have been avoided if he appealed on the spot at Narita Airport.