KUALA LUMPUR, March 22 — Amanah president Mohamad Sabu has been prohibited from entering Sarawak ahead of the state election, PKR announced today after several opposition MPs were similarly denied entry.
PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil said PKR was just informed that Mohamad, popularly known as Mat Sabu, had arrived at the Sibu airport, where the latter was told by state Immigration officials that he may not enter the East Malaysian state.
“The act of stopping Pakatan Harapan leaders from meeting the people of Sarawak is a desperate act which is much regretted,” Fahmi said in a statement.
“In an advanced and progressive democracy, political opponents are attacked with ideas and arguments, not attacked through bureaucratic procedures such as what is taking place now,” he added.
DAP MPs Tony Pua and Teresa Kok, PKR federal lawmakers Nurul Izzah Anwar, Zuraida Kamaruddin, Rafizi Ramli and Chua Tian Chang as well as activist Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan have all been barred from entering Sarawak.
Sarawak and Sabah have autonomy over immigration and are empowered to keep out individuals they deem undesirable. This discretion has largely been used against leaders of the federal opposition parties.
Sarawak Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem has proposed that the state election be held on April 30.
