The Malaysian Civil Liberties Movement (MCLM) president Haris Ibrahim today became another civil activist denied entry into Sarawak "on orders from above".
Malaysiakini was first alerted about the matter from a tweet by Fahmi Fadzil, the political secretary to Pantai parliamentarian Nurul Izzah Anwar.
"Urgent: @harisibrahim joins the honored list of @SivarasaRasiah @millemeow and @chinhuatw in being banned from #Sarawak," wrote Fahmi in his tweet.
When contacted, Haris (left) confirmed that he is now stranded at Kuching Airport after being refused entry into the land of the Hornbills.
"I was denied entry into Sarawak, they told me I was blacklisted on orders from above, though they themselves are not aware of why I am banned," he lamented.
Haris, who was travelling alone, said that he insisted on a black-and-white written order of his blacklisting.
"I don't intend to go back without an official confirmation," he said.
The lawyer-turned-activist contends that it is insane for Sarawak not to allow people to come into the state just because an election is going on, particularly without a valid reason.
"This is s blatant abuse of powers, plain and simple."
Pursuant to his request, he was issued a "Notice of refusal for entry".
On the notice was written:
"Pursuant to Section 65 (i)(a) of the Immigration act 1959/63, the state does not allow you to be issued a pass to enter the state of Sarawak."
Again, no reason was stated as to why he was refused entry.
"I can't for the life of me wonder why I would be denied entry, I am a most peaceful man. I even brought my suntan lotion and cap thinking of having a good time," he said snidely.
More seriously, he said that it is common knowledge why activists like him are barred from entering Sarawak, as the powers that be want to stop them from revealing the truth to the rakyat.
The MCLM president said that he will be put on a flight back to KL courtesy of the government of Chief Minister Taib Mahmud, but that will not be end of it.
"I shall go back, consult with my lawyers and decide if there are grounds for legal action. This abuse of power must stop. It had gone on probably because no one had challenged it before," said the lawyer feistily.
Haris was the latest in a long list of activists and opposition politicians banned from the state.
Last week election watchdog Bersih 2.0 representative Wong Chin Huat faced a similar fate, joining activist Steven Ng and Subang MP R Sivarasa.
Sudah ada beberapa orang kena barred daripada memasuki Sarawak.
ReplyDeleteapa punca sebenar??
ReplyDeleteNow thats Autonomy!
ReplyDeleteLong Live Taib!!
kerajaan Sarawak mmg ada hak untuk tidak membenarkan sesiapa memasuki Sarawak.
ReplyDeleteI wonder what reason it is that Haris Ibrahim is barred from Sarawak.
ReplyDeleteI think the Sarawak government should provide some explanation to why he is barred.
ReplyDeleteIt's because of the elections.
ReplyDeleteThats another joke for today. How come there is several people being banned from entering the state of sarawak without any clear justification. They just know how to quote from the "book of immigration". Don't they need to enclose a list of justification? All malaysian citizen are equal under constitution, so there is no reasonable doubt to preventing someone else entering any state he or she like. Unless this guy are a dangerous and a threat to the state and its people.
ReplyDeletemungkin ada sebab..apa pun sebaiknya penjelasan diberikan.
ReplyDeleteAutonomy doesn't mean that you can ban/bar/prevent someone entering this state at will. There should be a clear justification. From what i see, that action is an act of abuse of power. Some day, If it is destined that sarawak current government being toppled by the opposition, our PM will potentially banned from entering this state. Without any justification for the reason of state autonomy. why not? can someone explain? that is what happened when all matter are politically motivated.
ReplyDeleteApa sebabnya?
ReplyDeletejustification please?
Sabah & Sarawak have its own set of immigration rule...but only Sarawak has the power to barred people from coming into the state...
ReplyDeleteAutonomy practice in action!
Long Live Taib!
kenapa aktivis pula yang dihalang masuk, bukannya Anwar??
ReplyDeleteMungkin mereka ini ada sebab kenapa dilarang masuk. Jadi hanya mereka sendiri yang tahu dan pura-pura buat tidak tahu.
ReplyDelete