IBM official to be released shortly

Bangalore -based IBM employee Narendra Babu, who was detained for overstaying his visa, is likely to be released as soon as the paperwork is completed, sources at the Malaysian Immigration office said. Meanwhile, IT and Communications Minister Arun Shourie said on Monday that Babu’s detention by Malaysian authorities could not be described as a case of singling out of Indian IT professionals, as the official was working for a global infotech company. ‘‘IBM is involved, and it would take some action. One cannot say that the Indian firm is being singled out. It is an Indian professional working for an MNC,’’ Shourie said. Babu, who works with the planning department of the software company, will be fined Ringet 100 (nearly Rs 1,200) for overstaying by seven days, they said.

IBM programme manager in Kuala Lumpur, Nazri Shah Musa, incharge of Security, Occupation, Health, Safety and Environment, said, ‘‘I have nothing to comment.’’

According to Malaysian law, a person who overstays is detained. If the overstay is for less then two weeks and there are no other charges, he is released at the earliest against a compound fine. However, if the overstay exceeds two weeks, the case is sent to a magistrate’s court.