Malaysia Opposition leader Rainsy, an exile in France, appeared at Kuala Lumpur airport in an attempt to repatriate.

"Keep your hopes, we are on the right path," Cambodian opposition leader Sam Rainsy today sent a message to supporters after landing at Kuala Lumpur International Airport.

"I cannot say anything. I have not denied it, nor confirmed it," he added when asked by reporters about his plans to return to Cambodia. Officials at the Malaysian airport separate Rainsy from the passengers on the same flight and then allow him to enter.

The opposition Cambodian leader will not return home on November 9 as announced earlier. "No one is coming back today, but we will find a way to return as soon as possible," said Saory Pon, the overseas representative of the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party (CNRP).

Sam Rainsy is the co-founder of CNRP. The party was dissolved in 2017 for colluding with foreigners to overthrow the government. Rainsy has lived in exile in France since 2015 to avoid a prison sentence in Cambodia. He vowed to return to the country on November 9 this year to challenge Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Sen and "push for change."

Cambodian Prime Minister warned the opposition leader will be arrested as soon as he returned home. Cambodia also deployed troops and held live-fire drill exercises near the Thai border following Rainsy's announcement. Thai Prime Minister Prayut Chan-o-cha announced on November 6 that he would not allow the opposition Cambodian leader in transit to repatriate.

Thai Airways on Monday also refused to allow Rainsy to board a flight from Paris to Bangkok, just one day after CNRP vice president Mu Sochua was arrested upon landing at Kuala Lumpur airport.