KUALA LUMPUR: The Foreign Ministry confirmed that ex-Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy has left Malaysia Wednesday morning (May 31).

Wisma Putra, in a statemet last night, said no public programme was held during Rainsy's stay here.

"With regard to the presence of the former Chief Opposition Member of Cambodia Sam Rainsy in Malaysia, the Foreign Ministry wishes to reiterate that Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim was not informed of his arrival to this country."

The Khmer Times reported that Rainsy and several leaders of his banned opposition party had made a trip to Kuala Lumpur for a meeting, claiming that Anwar ordered their deportation after learning of their presence here.

It was reported that Rainsy entered Malaysia via a private aircraft using a French passport.

Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen was reported saying Anwar had assured him that Rainsy would "never be allowed to step on Malaysian soil," and that the Cambodian opposition figure only managed to gain entry through subterfuge.

The Cambodian prime minister said Rainsy and his group gave themselves away after they "bragged" about entering Malaysia as well as their intention to travel subsequently to Thailand.

There are political tensions and ongoing struggle between the opposition and the ruling party in Cambodia.

Rainsy had said on social media that he would return to Cambodia via Thailand, taking advantage of the political changes in Thailand after the general election.

However, Hun Sen was reported had warned Rainsy that he is ready to "welcome" him with a "BM-21 Grad" self-propelled rocket launcher.

https://www.nst.com.my/news/nation/2023/06/915403/foreign-ministry-says-anwar-unaware-cambodian-opposition-figures-entry