DAP national adviser Lim Kit Siang says he is among several individuals who are barred from entering Sabah.

NONE "Just been informed that I am on the Sabah immigration blacklist barred from entering Sabah on directive of Sabah Chief Minister (Musa Aman)," Lim said in a Twitter posting.

The others include PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, its strategy director Rafizi Ramli and Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan.

According to Sabah DAP Information chief Chan Foong Hin, the DAP had obtained a document on the ban, written on what appears to be the Chief Minister's Office's letterhead paper.

NONE Listed in this are Anwar, Lim, Ambiga, Nur [sic] Izzah Anwar, and Mohd Rafifi [sic] Ramli.

"I believe this is just a cover letter for a longer set of documents as there is no signature at the bottom of this letter," the newly elected Sri Tanjong assemblyperson said.

"We urge Musa to explain if this document is authentic, and if so, why he needs to resort to such abuse of power."

Speaking to Malaysiakini , he also urged Musa to reveal the full list of individuals banned from Sabah.

Failing this, Pakatan Rakyat elected representatives will raise the issue when the state assembly convenes on June 17, he added.

Ban to be challenged in court

Speaking at a press conference in Petaling Jaya later today, Lim - who is also Gelang Patah MP - said Pakatan will challenge their blacklisting in court.

He explained that even though Section 66(1) of the Immigration Act empowers the Sabah chief minister to deny Malaysians from the peninsula entry into Sabah, its power did not apply for those who are entering the state for "legitimate political activities" as provided under Section 67 of the same Act.

 

"It is very clear that it is an abuse of power and we will challenge it in the court of law, the court of public opinion and other aspects," he said.

He added that the decision to bar him and other Pakatan leaders was approved by the entire Sabah cabinet, which also comprised of Parti Bersatu Sabah (PBS) and Gerakan.

NONE He challenged PBS and Gerakan to make clear its stance on this matter and also urged Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak to explained why this had a rubber stamp from BN at the central level.

The spotlight fell on the Sabah government’s persona non grata list when PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar ( left ) was deported on arrival on May 30.

She had raised suspicion that Anwar and Lim were also on the blacklist, after speaking to immigration officers prior to her deportation.

Musa had on June 1 denied that barring Nurul was politically motivated, stating that it was done because she is believed to be a possible threat to the peace and harmony of Sabah.

In another twitter posting, Lim rubbished claims that he or other Pakatan leaders are a threat to security.

"Musa banned me from entering Sabah on May 15 but I visited Kota Kinabalu on May 22 to for a programme to thank voters without problems. What threat?" he asked.

Nurul's travel ban in Sabah lifted, say Sabah cops