KOTA KINABALU, JUNE 1- Sabah PKR secretary Dr Roland Chia Ming Shen has questioned the rationale behind the Immigration Department’s decision to bar PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar from entering Sabah yesterday.
“What has she done wrong to receive such a treatment? Is she a threat to the security of Sabah?
“The state Immigration Department certainly owes the people of Malaysia and Sabah in particular, an explanation on this. Failing which, they should immediately apologise to her,” he said.
Nurul was barred from entering Sabah at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) on Thursday evening and deported to Kuala Lumpur soon after.
Chia, who is also Inanam assemblyman, contended that he did not see any good reason to bar the Lembah Pantai MP from entering Sabah, as she was visiting on the invitation of Penampang MP Darell Leiking, in conjunction with the Harvest Festival.
“She was here to celebrate the Harvest Festival organised by Penampang PKR which is also in line with the government’s effort to promote national integration and unity. Hence, no one should politicise cultural events such as this,” he said.
Chia said while it was understandable if the state government issued orders to go all out to crack down on criminals and illegal immigrants entering the state, it was however stunning that a duly elected MP could be deported simply because she is from the opposition.
He reminded that in the past, the government had invited MPs from Peninsular Malaysia, including those from the opposition, to come to Sabah to celebrate such event.
Nurul arrived at Kota Kinabalu on Thursday evening, but was stopped at immigration.
Big mistake, says Umno MP
Leiking who was waiting for her at the airport, said he had been told there was a secret list of people who were barred from entering Sabah, and the Lembah Pantai MP was one of them.
“There are other MPs who will be denied entry into Sabah. When (I) pressed for their names, denied access. Deemed to be secret.”
Nurul is the second PKR leader barred from entering Sabah after its other vice president Tian Chua, who was denied entry upon arriving at Kota Kinabalu, last April 6.
Nurul had hoped to attend the two-day Kaamatan celebration that ends today.
Meanwhile Umno’s Kinabatangan MP Bung Mokthar has described Nurul’s deportation as a” big mistake” and a “disaster”.
He tweeted that he believed “it was a big mistake… and it needs to be corrected”.
He also tagged Nurul Izzah and Sabah Chief Minister Musa Aman in his tweet yesterday.
Bung, who is an Umno Supreme Council member also reportedly quoted as saying: “I don’t understand why Nurul was not allowed to enter Sabah. If it’s true, then this is a mistake and a disaster.”
Nurul meanwhile today said that she was mulling legal action against the Sabah government.
