Mat Sabu a threat to Sarawak harmony

Amanah president Mohamad Sabu was barred from entering Sarawak because he poses a threat to harmony in the state, said Works Minister Fadillah Yusof.

"His statements can touch on the sensitivity of Sarawakians and threaten harmony in the state," Fadillah, who is also Petra Jaya MP, told reporters at the Parliament lobby today.

He also denied there was any political reason behind the ban.

"If it was political, then why are non-politicians also barred from entering Sarawak?

"Ibrahim Ali (Perkasa chief) is not allowed into Sarawak, (religious bigot) Ridhuan Tee Abdullah too. Is Ridhuan involved in politics?"

Mohamad, better known as Mat Sabu, was forced to leave Sarawak after arriving at the Sibu airport yesterday.

Mohamad said he was supposed to be on a two-day visit to Sarawak in anticipation of the Sarawak state election expected to be held next month.

He said he was not told why, only that the order came from Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem's office.

The Sarawak government has banned a slew of opposition leaders from entering the state.

They include PKR vice-presidents Nurul Izzah and Tian Chua, PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin, PKR elections director Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, PKR's Subang MP R Sivarasa and DAP's Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.