On the eve of Sarawak’s nomination day, the ruling party appears adamant in banning opposition leaders from entry, in particular from DAP and PKR.

Penang DAP deputy chairperson Jagdeep Singh Deo said he was denied entry at Kuching airport this morning.

“I am deeply disappointed to have been denied entry to Kuching, Sarawak by the Immigration Department here, upon my arrival here at 9am this morning.

”The denial of my entry and many others before me in the run up to the Sarawak election clearly demonstrates how undemocratic the system is, but more importantly is a signal of the fear of the Sarawak government, led by Chief Minister Adenan Satem, towards such a healthy democracy, “ he said in a statement today.

“Sarawak is part of Malaysia and I am a citizen of Malaysia, and legally and constitutionally, I have the right to enter Sarawak,” added Jagdeep.

Yesterday, Perak DAP chairperson Nga Kor Ming was deported at Sibu, prompting him to remark the state is turning into a " dictatorship ".

Federal Immigration laws provide that Sarawak's autonomous immigration policies do not apply to those who enter for political activities.

Critics such as former Bersih chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan, citing Section 67 of the Immigration Act have called the ban on opposition leaders and activists in the run up to the election illegal .

The section states that restriction on a citizen's right of entry into an East Malaysian state does not come into effect "in relation to a citizen entering [...] for the sole purpose of engaging in legitimate political activity".

'Acting on orders' excuse

As with DAP's Selangor speaker Hannah Yeoh’s deportation on Friday and others, the Immigration offered the leader no explanation for the move except that it was on orders.

“I demanded an explanation as to the reason why I was barred entry.

"The immigration officer […] told me that she was only executing the orders of the state government.

“When I asked her under what provision of law she was acting, she could not provide an answer and repeated again that she was merely executing the orders of the government,” said Jagdeep.

The Penang DAP leader urged Sarawakians to vote for change this election.

“The people of Sarawak are urged to rise and Ubah, and to all my comrades campaigning out there, please do so without fear or favour.”

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