Within the span of three days, yet another peninsula-based opposition politician has been banned from entering Sarawak.

Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng in a tweet said that PKR Penang state exco member Abdul Malik Abul Kassim has been banned from entering Sarawak, after a similar move against Kulai MP Teo Nie Ching and Ubah mascot creator Ooi Leng Hang.

When contacted, Abdul Malik said he is “still busy at the airport” in Kuching and will comment further later.

Bayan Baru MP Sim Tze Tzin, however, told Malaysiakini that the Batu Maung state assemblyperson had arrived in Kuching at 9am this morning.

According to Sim, Abdul Malik was barred from entering Sarawak under Section 65(i)(a) of the Immigration Act 1959/63.

The notice to bar Abdul Malik was signed by Sarawak Immigration Director Dayang Napiah Ahmad.

Sarawak exercises immigration autonomy as part of an 18-point agreement when Malaysia was formed in 1963.

Bans 'not legal'

Opposition lawmakers have charged that the policy has been abused by the state BN government, and that lawmakers were legally permitted to carry out political activities under the agreement.

Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem has also been dared to release the the full list of blacklisted opposition MPs as many are now flying to Sarawak, in a run-up to the upcoming state-elections.

Yesterday former Bersih co-chairperson Ambiga Sreenevasan said such bans were not legal apart from being morally wrong especially in light of the upcoming Sarawak elections.

Section 67 of the Immigration Act 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".

However the section adds "the burden of proof that a person is entitled to enter [...] shall lie on him".

After @TeoNieChing n UBAH mascot creator @ooi1117 got barred from Swk y'day, 2day is the turn of Pg State EXCO YB Abdul Malik.Abuse of power

— Lim Guan Eng (@cmlimguaneng) April 10, 2016