“This is because the Sabah government has the right to allow or deny a person’s entry to the state,” Tourism and Culture Minister Datuk Seri Nazri Abdul Aziz said.
“Under our laws, immigration in Sabah is the state government’s right and I believe the state’s Immigration Department has its reasons for not allowing her (Nurul) to enter Sabah. So if they prevented her from entering the state, it is the state government’s right to do so (and) there is nothing unlawful about it,” he said.
Nazri who was met after inspecting Kompleks Jabatan Kebudayaan dan Kesenian Negara, Sabah, on Friday night said this when asked to comment on Nurul who was denied entry to Sabah on May 30. Nazri explained: “In the first place Sabahans wanted this and it was enshrined in the 20 Points Agreement. After all we are one country (but) even for me if I come here I have to show my IC.
“There is nothing to be ashamed of. It is a practice which was implemented since 1963 as it was promised that Sabah and Sarawak have their own immigration right,” he said and pointed out that this was not the first time an individual who asw felt might threaten the state’s security had been denied entry into Sabah.
He was of the opinion that Nurul not being allowed to enter Sabah was also because of the opposition’s reaction to the 13th general election results.
“We want the rakyat to be happy; we do not want any trouble. Elections are over so accept the results but as you all know they (opposition) have not accepted it and are having demonstrations all over the country, and it is a possibility that the state government feels that she is up to something here.
“She can give many reasons but you know how the opposition is, they lie a lot, they are not telling the truth, they do everything that is wrong but they get away because they project themselves as the one that is being victimized, which they are not. They are actually victimizing and blackmailing the government,” he said.
Nazri when asked if the incident would mar Malaysia’s image as a tourist destination replied: “No.” Commenting on Nurul’s plan to take legal action against the Sabah government for barring her for entering into the state, Nazri said he asw not surprised by her response. He pointed out that the opposition files legal action against many things.
“They file everything, even on a free and fair election they file, so I am not surprised. Filing an action in court is something but she is not a lawyer – this is the right of the state government. This is the 20 Points that we have agreed upon in 1963. She is a young girl- inexperienced, she doesn’t know anything; she doesn’t know the law and good luck to her,” he said.
Do not speculate on Nurul Izzah ban
PENAMPANG: The public are advised to refrained from making any wild speculations over the recent banning of Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice- president Nurul Izzah Anwar from entering Sabah.
Puteri Umno chief Datuk Rosnah Abdul Rashid Shirlin in disclosing this said there must be a valid reason on the decision to issue a ban for her to enter the state, and it should be evaluated for the sake of protecting the existing peace and harmony.
“I believe the ban was not just motivated by politics but is based on a valid reason before implemented by the Chief Minister’s Department (CMD).
“We have laws and it should be respected. Do not use it to purposely create conflicts or sensationalizing it irresponsibly,” she said when met after inspecting the landslip at Kilometre 21 near Kampung Timpoluon, along the Penampang-Tambunan route, yesterday.
She was commenting on Nurul Izzah who was denied entry into Sabah upon arriving in Kota Kinabalu on Thursday. She had intended to attend a party event as well as celebrating Pesta Kaamatan, or the Harvest Festival, on a personal capacity.
She was stopped by Immigration Department officers and was ordered to return home on the advice from the CMD.
Last April, PKR vice-president Chua Tian Chang was similarly barred from entering Sabah. PKR supreme council member R Sivarasa was also once denied entry.
Rosnah said the people should also view the situation from a different angle such as the opposition’s tactic to purposely create tension and denying unity, peace and harmony which has long existed in the country.
“Sometimes stern action must be taken to ensure that the action will not cause an unrest and discomfort among the people, and I believe that the CMD had looked into all aspects before making the decision,” she said.
When asked to comment on the call by Kinabatangan member of parliament Datuk Bung Mokhtar Radin for the CMD to issue a statement with regards to the matter to avoid confusion, Rosnah said it was up to the department to decide.
“It is up to CMD on whether they think it is best to issue a statement over the matter or otherwise,” she said.
--THE BORNEO POST
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