Joshua Wong participating in the forum through Skype video call, May 26, 2015. — Picture by Opalyn Mok

GEORGE TOWN, May 27 — Hong Kong student activist Joshua Wong has labelled his deportation from Malaysia an extreme over-reaction, pointing out that he had planned to raise issues more sensitive to China than to Malaysia.

The 18-year-old founder of the student group Scholarism, who was immediately sent back to Hong Kong on the next flight after he arrived at the Penang International Airport yesterday, also said he did not expect to be deported at all.

“I may not know much about Malaysian politics and the government, but after this, I do know one thing - and that is they are really extreme,” Wong told the “Uprising of Youth and New Social Activism in Singapore and Hong Kong” forum at Komtar here last night through a Skype video call.

“I would understand if China was to take such an action...don’t tell me Malaysia is doing this in deference to China. So what’s next? Will I also be barred from entering Thailand, Singapore and Vietnam?” he asked.

Wong expressed surprise at his expulsion from Malaysia, noting that he had come to the country for a holiday in 2012 without any problems.

The pro-democracy student activist, who is the face of Hong Kong’s Umbrella Revolution that saw tens of thousands flood the streets last year for open elections in the semi-autonomous city, said he was also perplexed at being considered a threat to Malaysia’s national security when he was merely coming to speak at a forum.

Wong, who was scheduled to speak at the forum here last night, said he was invited to share his experiences on the umbrella movement and also his views on the Tiananmen Square 1989 protests ahead of the June 4 anniversary of the massacre in China.

Inspector-General of Police Tan Sri Khalid Abu Bakar told international newswire AFP yesterday that Wong was deported over fears that the student leader could threaten Malaysia’s ties with China.

Home Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi told reporters that visitors who are deported from Malaysia are usually sent back on grounds of national security.

The mass sit-in protest that occupied the streets of Hong Kong for more than two months last year, mainly led by student groups, had demanded that Beijing allow Hong Kong to nominate and directly elect its head of government, called the chief executive.