Judge Datuk Azmel Maamor who dismissed Jok Jau Evong's application with costs
however did not give any ground for the dismissal.
Jok, from Uma Bawang, Baram (in Sarawak), had filed the application against the
government and the director of the Immigration Department for withdrawing his
international passport on Aug 24, 1993.
In his affidavit, Jok, 40 stated that on Aug 22, 1993, he was scheduled to
leave for Peru but on his arrival at the Kuching International Airport, an
immigration officer withheld his international passport and told him that he
was not allowed to leave.
He added that on Aug 24, 1993, he was given a letter stating that his passport
was withdrawn pursuant to decision of the Home Ministry.
Jok, a farmer, also said that while he was abroad participating in
international forums, he had never acted in a manner prejudicial to the
interests of Sarawak and Malaysia.
Sarawak immigration Department director Rambli Adros Yahya in his affidavit
said that Jok was actively involved in anti-logging campaigns and had accused
the government of destroying its forests in many international forums.
Rambli added that in the forums Jok had asked that Malaysian tropical products
by boycotted and as it affected the interests of the country, his passport was
withdrawn.
Jok was represented by G.S. Nijar and M. Thayalan while Senior Federal Counsel
Al-Baishah Abdul Manan represented the respondents.
Jok's counsel immediately field a notice of appeal to the court's registry
here.