Peace-loving Sarawakians today questioned the police and the Immigration Department for allowing ‘undesirable elements’, such as the women's wing of Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) to enter Sarawak and conduct a meeting in the state.

Chief Minister Adenan Satem has listed the religious extremists and racial bigots, including Isma and Perkasa leaders, to be banned from entering Sarawak.

“But why the women's wing of Isma was able to have its meetings in a hotel in Kuching, from Friday to Saturday, without the police and immigration knowing about it?” a retired police officer.

“It is not excusable,” said the retired officer, who did not wish to be named.

Several concerned Sarawakians have also expressed similar views.

The meeting of the wing, which was attended by key figures and women chiefs from Peninsular Malaysia, was officiated by Isma women's chief Noraleha Mohd Salleh.

Why was Kuching picked?

A local participant, who revealed to the press about the closed-door meeting, felt suspicious of the whole thing and asked why Kuching was chosen as the venue for the meeting.

Reacting to the meeting of the Isma women wing in Kuching, Sarawak PKR chief Baru Bian said he was shocked, since Isma was in the ‘black list’ of the chief minister.

“I am shocked to hear of this. They should not be allowed to enter Sarawak. Why are the immigration and police not aware of this?” asked Baru, who is the Ba’Kelalan assemblyperson.

Commenting on the same issue his colleague, Sarawak PKR vice-chairperson See Chee How ( left ), called on the relevant authorities to be more alert against racist and religious bigots entering Sarawak to undermine its exemplary multiracial and multireligious relations and unity.

See who is the Batu Lintang assemblyperson expressed concern that there appeared to be  persistent and enduring efforts by leaders and groups from Peninsular Malaysia to create suspicions and ill-feelings in Sarawak through visits, local members and affiliates, or through sponsoring activities of local non-governmental organisations (NGOs).

He quoted as an example the visits of Perkasa leaders to the state to organise religious programmes among communities of other faiths in Julau, Melikin, Baleh and Belaga.

“The state government had announced that Perkasa leaders are not welcome and the chief minister himself had directed the religious bodies to stop programmes that could cause anxieties among the communities.

“Now it is found out that Isma, another racist group made famous by racist remarks of its president Abdullah Zaik Abdul Rahman, had its national women's wing meeting in Kuching,” See added.