Can a student influence Malaysia-China relations, asks Joshua Wong

Hong Kong-based student activist Joshua Wong who was deported out an hour after he arrived in Penang on Tuesday expressed his shock by the view that a student could influence Malaysia-China solid relations.

During a press conference via Skype held here Wednesday, Joshua commented on the statement made by Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar who said his speech could be deemed as anti-China and inevitably affect the harmonious relations between the two countries.

“If this is true, then I think the Malaysian government should rethink about this issue. How can a student like me affect Malaysia-China relations? It also shows that relationship between Malaysia and China is not strong yet,” said the bespectacled Joshua.

Joshua also said he was planning to talk about the 'Umbrella Revolution' and the continuous struggle for democracy in Hong Kong. That, he stressed has nothing to do with the present political scenario in Malaysia.

READ: Joshua Wong on list of individuals banned from entering this country

READ: Student activist Joshua Wong denied entry

“I am helpless and this happened out of my expectation,” he said.

Joshua arrived at the Penang International Airport on Tuesday, but was detained upon arrival and was sent him back to Hong Kong.

"I have no evidence that the Malaysian government has received a blacklist from Hong Kong authorities. I believed that the Hong Kong authorities have a list – which includes activists - and the list was surrendered to China.

"Previously, some Hong Kong activists were not not allowed to enter China," said Joshua to the Malaysian press members who attended the video conference.

When asked to comment on the situation when he arrived in Hong Kong last night, Joshua stressed the situation was under control and that he did not experience any form of harassment upon arrival.

Meanwhile, 10 non-governmental organizations (NGOs) including Solidarity for Civil Rights in China, Pemuda KLSCAH, University Malaya New Youth and Teoh Beng Hock Trust for Democracy have urged the government to publicly clarify if a foreign power was involved in restricting Joshua from entering Malaysia.

"Khalid admitted due to the impact of the Malaysia-China relations, they have barred Joshua from entering. We suspect the diplomatic powers of China was involved,” they said in a statement.

They also condemned the action of the authorities for denying entry for Joshua due to the grounds of national security.

"If compared with terrorist organizations, extremists, criminals who kidnap tourists, how can an unarmed Hong Kong student pose a threat to the national security," the group said.

The 18-year-old student activist was scheduled to attend a forum titled, "The Uprising of Youth and New Social Activism in Singapore and Hong Kong", at Auditorium A in Komtar, Penang, last night.

He was also scheduled to attend a series of forums to be held in KL, Ipoh and Johor Bahru.

Joshua was among the activists behind the massive demonstration that went on for 79 days last year, demanding for free elections to be held in Hong Kong.