“We are now trying to find any country that can take her,” said Prime Minister Dr Mahathir Mohamad.

Putrajaya earlier said that Sochua, the vice-president of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), would not necessarily be sent back to her home country as requested by Cambodia.

Mahathir said that Putrajaya was careful not to sour diplomatic ties with other governments.

“This is their affair,” he added.

Asked if Malaysia would allow other Cambodian opposition leaders into the country, Mahathir said that the government would not interfere in the domestic affairs of Asean countries.

“We don’t want them to use Malaysia as a base for their struggle in other countries,” he added.

Last week, Thailand turned away Sochua upon arrival at the Bangkok airport. She later flew to Indonesia, where the Cambodian embassy demanded her arrest after she held a news conference.

Cambodia has arrested at least 48 opposition activists this year over accusations of plotting to overthrow the government of Prime Minister Hun Sen.