BALINGIAN Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem's order to the Immigration Department to bar four 'lesser' personalities of PKR from entering Sarawak, but not their boss and PKR de facto leader Anwar Ibrahim, is not only curious to political observers, but also raises a host of questions.

The four are secretary-general Saifuddin Nasution; director of strategy Rafizi Ramli, who is the MP for Pandan; vice-president Tian Chua, the MP for Batu; and party Wanita wing chief and MP for Ampang, Zuraida Kamaruddin.

Saifuddin, Rafizi and Tian Chua, who were on the way to campaign for PKR candidate Abdul Jalil Bujang for the Balingian by-election, were disallowed entry on March 25, while Zuraida suffered the same fate on March 27.

The questions here are: Why did Adenan allow Anwar Ibrahim in? Was Adenan scared of a political backlash from Anwar's powerful friends in Malaysia and around the world,  especially from the Arab countries?  Or was he told by the former chief minister Abdul Taib Mahmud not to do so?

Taib, who resigned as chief minister on Feb 28, 2014 to be  replaced by Adenan, had allowed  Anwar problem-free entry into the state even though regarded as a 'trouble-maker'.

Another head scratcher is: Why the nod to Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali’s entry knowing full well his uneneviable reputation as not only a racist, but also a religious bigot who wanted to burn the Malay version of the Bible?

Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian said that it is obvious that Adenan cannot afford to bar Anwar as he is known internationally with   friends round the world.

"The international backlash is too dangerous for Sarawak," said Baru in an obvious reference to the current move by the state government to lure foreign governments, including Arab governments, to invest in the Sarawak Corridor of Renewal Energy (Score).

Up till today, the state government claims that it has secured investments, especially in heavy industries like aluminum smelting plants to the tune of over RM25 billion.

Mind-blowing over-RM30 billion at stake

More foreign direct investments (FDI) have been pledged and memoranda of understating (MOU) especially from the Arab countries are forthcoming. It is estimated that by 2020 investment deals worth over RM30 billion would endorsed.

And to cater for these heavy industries, the state government has plans to build 12 mega hydro-eclectic dams worth tens of billions of ringgit into provide cheaper power supply to the investors.

Score, which is Taib's brainchild, is expected to employ 600,000 specialist and skilled workers.

Would Adenan dare to risk these forthcoming investments particularly from the Arab countries whose leaders are very friendly with Anwar? asked Baru.

"Adenan is in dilemma to bar Anwar or not to bar Anwar. The backlash is too dangerous," said the Ba'Kelalan assemblyperson.

On the barring of the four party leaders from going to Balingian, Baru said that the State BN leaders are jittery and nervous about the outcome of the by-election.

"It shows that we are very effective this time around. If they are so confident of winning the Balingian by-election, why are they stopping our leaders from campaigning here," he said.

Baru said: "If the state government had barred Anwar from going to Balingian, such a move would provoke anti-BN in Balingian during the by-election.

"Even now the groundswell of support is unprecedented in Balingian this time. The BN is nervous," he added.

On Ibrahim Ali's visit to Kuching on March 20, Baru was wondering why Adenan allowed him in knowing that he is not only a racist, but also a religious bigot who demanded that the Malay version of the Bible be burnt.

His visit to Kuching also provoked  many questions.

"I believe there is a cover-up. It is just like the visit of Altantuya Shariibuu who disappeared from the records of the Immigration Department.

"It shows that this administration is very arrogant. We will prove them wrong in court," Baru said, referring to the PKR's intention to challenge the ban of the four PKR leaders in court.

Ibrahim Ali together with a number of Perkasa leaders were seen at the Harbour View hotel in Kuching from March 20 to 23, 2014.

But the Immigration Department denied that he was in Kuching.

Meanwhile, PKR has reminded the voters that the track record of the BN government in the fulfilment and realisation of electoral promises are extremely poor.

Its Balingian by-election operation director See Chee How said that from the records of pledges and promises made in the past polls, particularly in Mukah-Balingian, it appears that the government is not capable of fulfilling and realizing their election promises, or tends to neglect them.

Cashing in on hot air promises

"The economy and scale of promises and pledges made by the BN government in these two weeks' campaign period for the Balingian by-election are unprecedented in Sarawak.

"While we congratulate the people in the Mukah and Balingian region on those promises made, which will contribute towards their better living and benefits, we must at the same time remind them of the government's poor track record in keeping their promises," said See, who is state PKR vice-chairperson and Batu Lintang Assemblyperson.

He said the low-costs and affordable houses under the 'Rumah Mesra Rakyat' project to cater for the housing needs of the lower middle income and poor households in Balingian had been launched in previous elections but the site has been abandoned, despite being reminded by  community leaders when the present polls was announced.

The BN government has also consistently made it their election pledge to rebuild and replace Kampung Suyong’sold and dilapidated bridge.

"Unfortunately, the Minister of Infrastructure Development and Communications Michael Manyin had clarified yesterday that there is no plan for the construction and replacement of this bridge, as far as he is aware," See said.

He said that several other projects promised in the previous elections had either been abandoned or forgotten and these include a multi-purpose community hall, the construction of embankments to prevent soil erosion which threatens two villages, providing  piped water to households in villages and longhouses, and building secondary and primary schools.

"I strongly urge the voters in Balingian to support the opposition Pakatan Rakyat candidate in this by-election to ensure that the promises and pledges by the BN government will be fulfilled in the coming state election," said See.

The by-election is a straight fight between BN-PBB’s Yussibnosh Balo, former Dalat District Officer and Pakatan-PKR candidate Abdul Jalil Bujang, a businessman.

All campaigns for the Balingian polls will end at mid-night tonight. Polling will begin at  am tomorrow, and in some polling stations, it  will end at5 pm.

There are 21 polling stations and 39 ballot boxes.

Results should be known by 9pm tomorrow.