Malaysian migrant attempts self-immolation
The Jakarta Post, Medan, North Sumatra | National | Tue, July 16 2013, 7:00 AM
A Malaysian national tried to set fire to himself on Monday at the Belawan Immigration Office when he was about to be deported home.
Immigration officers managed to prevent Pannir Selvam Gopal from carrying out the act of self-immolation and sent him to Belawan Naval Hospital for treatment.
Belawan Immigration Office chief Sunardi said Gopal was about to be deported because he had entered Indonesia without proper documents. Gopal, who has been residing in Medan for more than a year, was arrested following tip-offs from residents.
"We are postponing his deportation because he is still being treated at the hospital," Sunardi said.
The Malaysian Consul General in Medan, Nor Azhar Hajis, confirmed the suicide attempt due to resisting deportation. Hajis said he had sent a representative to investigate the case.
Hajis refused to provide an additional comment.
