Saifuddin added that Malaysia was not under any pressure to deport them, and that it would not necessarily accede to Cambodia’s request.

“We have received a request (from Cambodia) but we decide on our own,” he told reporters when met at the Parliament lobby.

It was earlier reported that Mu Sochua, the vice-president of the banned Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP), had been detained at KLIA by immigration authorities.

Saifuddin said the authorities simply wanted to interview her. “They probably want to know what is her intention in coming.”

He added that Wisma Putra was “not in a position” to deport individuals.

“I think what the immigration is doing is, strictly speaking, in our interest. We are a pro-democracy government, we follow things very closely, but at the same time we cannot interfere with what happens in other countries,” he said.

He added that Sochua arrived at around midnight, and might have entered using an American passport.

Saifuddin denied knowledge of CNRP founder Sam Rainsy entering Malaysia.

“There is no contact as to when he is coming and I know there have been rumours that he’s coming to see me. Definitely, that is not in the pipeline.”

Last week, Thailand turned away Sochua when she flew into Bangkok’s main international airport. She later flew to Indonesia, where the Cambodian embassy yesterday requested that she be arrested 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.