KUALA LUMPUR, March 23 ― Sarawak has allegedly barred entry to all opposition federal lawmakers who are not natives, ahead of a state election expected next month.
A text message believed to be from Sarawak Immigration was sent to state immigration and airport officials containing a directive purportedly from Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem’s office placing 82 opposition MPs from DAP, PKR, Parti Amanah Negara and PAS as well as independent Bandar Tun Razak MP Tan Sri Abdul Khalid Ibrahim on an entry blacklist.
“There is circulation of a directive informing airport authorities to NTL,” a source told Malay Mail Online on condition of anonymity.
“All those on the list would be termed as NTL, refused entry into Sarawak and to be sent back,” the source added, using the code for “not to land”.
The document sighted by Malay Mail Online was dated March 13, 2016 and stated that the entry ban is with immediate effect.
Of the 88 opposition MPs in Malaysia including Khalid, six are from Sarawak and belong to the DAP and PKR.
It is unknown how long the purported ban will last.
Sarawak Immigration Department director Ken Leben declined comment when contacted by Malay Mail Online while the offices of the Sarawak chief minister and its state secretary have yet to respond.
Amanah president Mohamad Sabu was prohibited from entering Sarawak upon arrival at the Sibu airport yesterday and was forced to return to the peninsula, according to PKR.
DAP MPs Tony Pua and Teresa Kok, PKR federal lawmakers Nurul Izzah Anwar, Zuraida Kamaruddin, Rafizi Ramli and Chua Tian Chang, as well as prominent lawyer and activist Datuk Ambiga Sreenevasan have previously been denied entry into 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.
Adenan has proposed that the state election be held on April 30 though the Election Commission is yet to announce a date.
