KOTA KINABALU, JUNE 4- The Sabah state government has dismissed widely speculated claims that the ban on PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar last Thursday was part of a crackdown by the Musa Aman-led regime post the 13th general election.
Sabah Barisan Nasional lost an unprecedented 12 seats to Pakatan Rakyat’s DAP and PKR in the May 5 GE. Another sole state seat – Bingkor – was won by local opposition Sabah State Reform Party through Jeffrey Kitingan.
In a statement last yesterday, Sabah state secretary Sukarti Wakiman clarified that there was no unilateral ban on Nurul Izzah’s entry into Sabah.
He said the barring her entry on May 30 was “only for one occasion”.
Nurul, who is Lembah Pantai MP, reportedly said that she arrived in Sabah on the invitation of Penampang MP Darrell Leiking to join in the Tadau Kaamaatan Harvest Festival celebrations on May 30-31.
But on arrival she was held back by immigration officers who eventually deported her without giving her a reason.
It was however reported that the directive came from the Chief Minister’s Office.
In an immediate reaction, BN backbencher Kinabatangan MP Bung Mokthar had tweeted that it was “a big mistake” and a “disaster”.
That sentiment permeated the kadazandusun community, stoking a flood of angry criticisms against Chief Minister Musa Aman and his administration.
There was also demands that Musa explain his decision.
Sukarti said the state barred Nurul Izzah’s entry for “security reasons”.
“It was done for security reasons and based on reports. But there was no permanent ban on her,” he said.
Sukarti also disputed reports that other leaders – Opposition leader Anwar Ibrahim, DAP advisor Lim Kit Siang, Bersih co-chairman S Ambiga and PKR strategy director Rafizi Ramli – were banned from entering Sabah.
“There is (also) no permanent ban on any other opposition leaders coming into Sabah as long as they do not pose a security threat.
“In fact, DAP’s Lim Kit Siang was allowed into the state less than two weeks ago,” Sukarti said.
