KOTA KINABALU, Dec 4 ― Sabahans are offended by PKR MP Nurul Izzah Anwar’s meeting with Jacel Kiram, but local group leaders said the controversy over the incident was politically driven and orchestrated to play on current security woes here.

Among political circles, the uproar over her photos with the daughter of the Sulu “sultan” behind the 2013 invasion of Lahad Datu culminated in the state assembly approving a motion to ban Nurul Izzah from entering the state, but beyond the same groups, the outrage appeared less palpable.

According to Association for the Promotion of Human Rights (Proham) deputy chairman Professor Datuk Hamdan Adnan, the issue was magnified by the ruling Barisan Nasional (BN) and made to appear worse than it was.

“Of course, the photo would offend some Sabahans. But if it wasn’t played up so much, the people would not have bothered after a while. It became an issue only after becoming politicised,” he said.

Hamdan, who is also Federation of Malaysian Consumers Associations advisor, also said that while it was inconclusive from the photo what actually transpired during their meeting, people were already judging her based on sentiments expressed by BN members.

“I hope in the end, wisdom will prevail. For now, the ban is just as well as even if she were to come to Sabah, I would worry for her safety due to the strong sentiments surrounding the meeting. People are bound to be emotional and something might happen,” he said, adding it was sad for the country and Nurul Izzah.

Former state secretary and current Proham chair Tan Sri Simon Sipaun also agreed that the issue was exaggerated and that the pre-emptive entry ban was a violation of Nurul Izzah’s human rights.

“I don’t believe Nurul had any bad intention. If she was in BN I don’t think the government would have created any fuss,” he said.

Sipaun, a former Malaysian Commission of Human Rights commissioner, said that the state ban on Nurul Izzah was also an abuse of her rights under the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which states a citizen has the right to work and live in any part of his or her country.

“Only illegal immigrants should not be allowed into the state,” he said, in a swipe against Sabah’s long-standing issues with immigrants from the Philippines.

The issue has received prominent coverage since the photographs of Nurul Izzah and Jacel spread online last week, drawing rebuke from rival leaders over the apparent insensitivity.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak earlier this week described the act of consorting with a “Sulu terrorist” as disrespectful to the feelings of Sabahans, although he did not specifically name Nurul Izzah.

Kadazandusun Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Bonipasius Bianis said it was undeniable that the Lahad Datu intrusion had caused suffering to the people in the area and it was expected that some Sabahans would be offended.

He said this was exacerbated by renewed concerns over the security of the state, following reported threats of renewed attacks by Filipino gunmen as well as the recent beheading of a Sarawakian hostage by Abu Sayyaf militants.

“The basis of the worry is that people do not know the real motive or intention of the meeting. And politicians are good at turning a question mark into an exclamation mark,” he said.

The issue had dominated the PKR annual congress during the weekend, during which leader after leader sought to defend Nurul Izzah over the incident and downplay the possible offence caused.

Sabah PKR chief Datuk Lajim Ukin claimed that there were no ill feelings in the Sabah over the controversial photo of Nurul Izzah with Jacel, claiming that the controversy was fabricated by their BN rivals to tarnish the reputation of the PKR vice president.

Nurul Izzah previously explained that she was in the Philippines on November 9 with Chua Tian Chang as part of a PKR delegation to meet with “various stakeholders” there, where she met Jacel who had been invited to an event by their hosts.

Despite her explanation, however, as well as a final plea in the Dewan Rakyat yesterday, the lawmaker was voted against in a motion seeking to refer her to the House’s rights and privileges committee.

Over 200 armed Sulu militants from southern Philippines had in 2013 landed in Lahad Datu to stake the sultanate’s claim over Sabah, resulting in a bloody standoff that killed 10 members of Malaysian security forces and dozens of gunmen.