(7 Nov 2019) Human Rights Watch on Thursday condemned the detention of the No. 2 official of a banned Cambodian opposition party by Malaysian authorities, saying the development showed "that the long arm of Hun Sen's repression is reaching all over Southeast Asia".
Sunai Phasuk, a senior researcher for the NGO's Asia devision, said that the move aimed to ensure "that there is no space for the opposition party" to challenge long-serving Prime Minister Hun Sen, an autocratic leader who has clamped down on his opponents.
According to Human Rights Watch, Mu Sochua, vice president of the Cambodia National Rescue Party, was detained by immigration officials upon landing at the Kuala Lumpur airport Wednesday night from Jakarta.
Her detention comes as regional countries backed Phnom Penh's bid to block the return of self-exiled leaders accused of plotting to overthrow the government.
Opposition politicians, led by party leader Sam Rainsy, have planned to return home with followers to spark a popular movement to oust Hun Sen.
Their bid hit a roadblock after Thailand barred them from entering.
Hours before Mu Sochua's detention in Malaysia, the Cambodian Embassy in Indonesia called for her arrest after she gave a news conference in Jakarta.
Cambodian Ambassador Hor Nambora interrupted the news conference to describe the opposition politicians as fugitives and criminals.
Mu Sochua has dual citizenship and holds a U.S. passport.
U.S. Embassy officials couldn't be reached for comments immediately.

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