Malaysian businessman Tan Seng Hin who was deported from Sarawak and barred from re-entering the state today expressed his grave disappointment with the state's authorities for treating him like a 'foreigner'.

"At least tourists are able to visit the state but I can't even go back," said the father of two during a press conference at the DAP headquarters in Petaling Jaya.

The 61-year-old Melaka-born engineer accused the Sarawak state government of depriving him of his human rights as well his rights as a father and husband.

Tan alleged the reason for his deportation was due to his criticism of the state government's move to change the medium of the Riam Middle School in Miri, Sarawak from Chinese to English. This was done to pave the way for the school to become a feeder institution for Australia's Curtin University campus in Miri.

No reason given

"I have received death threats for my stand on this issue and I believe that my deportation was also related to it," said Tan who is also the secretary of Miri's Hainanese Association.

Tan denied the possibility that his deportation was linked to business rivalry. "That cannot be the case because I am going to retire soon," he said.

Asked if he was going to send a complaint to the Human Rights Commission (Suhakam), Tan replied: "Soon enough".

Tan was notified by the Sarawak immigration authorities via a letter dated Dec 13, 2000 that his social visit pass had been canceled and he had 14 days to leave the state. No reason was given in the letter.

DAP chairperson Lim Kit Siang who was present at the press conference said that Tan's case was a "clear abuse of power and contrary to law". DAP member of parliament for Seputeh Teresa Kok, who was also present, said she would call for an emergency motion in Parliament to discuss Tan's deportation.

White elephant

Meanwhile, in a press statement, Lim called upon the Anti-Corruption Agency (ACA) to investigate the Kuala Baram port in Miri, which he labelled the biggest "white elephant" in the state.

"The ACA should investigate if there has been any misuse or misappropriation of funds relating to the construction of the port," he said in his statement.

Malaysiakini had reported Lim as saying on March 28 that the port is unable to accommodate large vessels because of siltation and the state government had committed a "colossal development folly".

Lim claimed that RM350 million had been used to build the port but due to its present problems, an additional RM500 million has to be spent to dredge approximately 16km of the Baram river in order for the port to function properly.