KUALA LUMPUR, May 2 — PKR’s Nurul Izzah Anwar said she attempted to enter Sarawak today based on incumbent Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem saying those barred from entry could appeal.

The PKR vice president said she wrote to Adenan on April 29 for permission to visit the state to help in her party’s campaign for the May 7 election, but conceded she did not receive any response saying her ban was lifted.

“I did not check before I flew there. I assumed I can enter after I wrote the letter,” she told reporters at Kuala Lumpur International Airport 2 today, after she was sent back from Sarawak this morning.

“It is very upsetting because it is so arbitrary.”

The Lembah Pantai MP today joined other non-native opposition lawmakers who have been prevented from entering the state that is preparing for an election on May 7.

They include PKR’s Rafizi Ramli and Chua Tian Chang, DAP’s Teresa Kok and Parti Amanah Negara’s Mohamad Sabu.

Previously, Nurul Izzah was banned from the state and Sabah over her controversial meeting with the Sulu “princess” Jacel Kiram, daughter of the self-styled Sulu ‘sultan’ Jamalul Kiram III who led the Lahad Datu invasion in Sabah three years ago.

Sarawak and Sabah have autonomy over their state’s immigration, and may reject those deemed “unfit” to enter.

Sarawak PKR leaders today said they will consider legal action against the government over the entry bans.