DAP lawmaker Tony Pua has been banned from entering Sabah.

Arriving at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 12.50pm for a three-day forum on 1MDB, Pua was told by an immigration officer that he was not allowed to enter the state.

"Without giving a reason, the officer said the instruction came this morning from the state government," Pua told Malaysiakini.

"I am now at the Kota Kinabalu Immigration office. I will be deported on the 2pm flight," he said.

Besides attending the 1MDB fora being held in Keningau, Tenom and Pensiangan, Pua was also scheduled to launch the 'Impian Sabah' voluntary programmes in those three towns.

Pua said the move against him entering Sabah was politically motivated. 

"This is very unfair and undemocratic, my freedom to travel was disrupted by political elements," he said. 

Pua is the second DAP leader barred from the state, after Seputeh MP Teresa Kok. 

Others who have faced entry ban into Sabah include PKR vice-president Tian Chua, PKR's Nurul Izzah Anwar and Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli, as well as National Human Rights Society (Hakam) president S Ambiga. 

'Opposition lawmakers may disrupt unity'

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Joseph Kurup had defended the entry bans, arguing that the appearance of opposition lawmakers may disrupt the unity of Sabah and Sarawak. 

Meanwhile, Bersih chairperson Maria Chin Abdullah (photo) expressed disappointment with Sabah following its neighbour Sarawak (in imposing entry bans).

"This action is an infringement on Pua's constitutional right and freedom of movement.

"It simply raises the question that it was politically motivated and shows a desperate state government clutching on to power when it should be accountable and engage with the rakyat on key issues challenging this country.

"This action is deeply disturbing and can be likened to censorship of diverse ideas when in fact the Sabah authorities should show leadership and be magnanimous in embracing diversity," Maria said in a statement.

State authorities must explain the ban, she added, since the immigration law allows a person to enter Sabah for the sole purpose of engaging in legitimate political activities.