PARLIAMENT Opposition lawmakers are barred from entering Sarawak and Sabah because they may disrupt the unity of the Borneo states, said Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Joseph Kurup.

"The (two) state governments banned the opposition parliamentarians from entering Sabah and Sarawak to maintain unity.

"Your arrival (in both states) will be seen as disrupting the unity there," he said when winding up the royal address.

Kurup, who is in charge of unity, was responding to Teresa Kok (DAP-Seputeh).

"I feel that unity between Sabah, Sarawak and the peninsula is very important,” he said.

Interjected Kok: "My friends and I were barred from entering Sarawak to campaign for the state election. And I was even barred from entering Sabah without reason."

"Will this disrupt the unity and harmony between East Malaysia and Peninsular Malaysia ?" she asked.

Zuraida Kamaruddin (PKR-Ampang), Nurul Izzah Anwar (PKR-Lembah Pantai), and Tony Pua (DAP-Petaling Jaya Utara) were among the opposition leaders barred from entering Sarawak.