DAP leaders from Peninsular Malaysia have "Skype" their way into Sarawak after a number of them were booted out by the state government.

In an unexpected appearance, Petaling Jaya Utara parliamentarian Tony Pua, who has been banned from entering the state since last year, spoke through Skype at a ceramah of over 400 people in Pelawan, Sibu last night.

The speech was also simultaneously streamed to ceramahs in other Sarawak cities - Kuching, Miri and Bintulu.

Pua kicked off his speech with his favourite topics - 1MDB and Prime Minister Najib Abdul Razak's multi-billion ringgit deposits in his personal bank accounts. However, the internet connection was choppy and his speech was inaudible at times.

The event then switched to a video featuring Najib and his wife Rosmah Mansor, and another live stream with DAP Youth chief Wong Kah Who, who was campaigning elsewhere in Sarawak.

However, after several interruptions, the live streaming was cut short. Organisers promised to do better next time.

Nevertheless, despite the technical problems, the Sibu crowd was keen to see more Skype being used at ceramahs.

Car factory co-owner Wong Ley Hee, 48, said she appreciated the support from peninsular leaders, whether physically or through live streaming.

“In fact, when I heard they were banned, I figured it could be done this way (live streaming). I am happy (to see Pua),” she said.

Teng Wei Yen, a car painter, said he was pleasantly surprised by the Skype attempt.

"The current government is too corrupt. I would like to hear what will happen if 'change' happens," said the 21-year-old, who has just registered as a voter but not in time for the May 7 state polls.

What is Adenan scared of?

As for hardcore DAP supporter and restaurant staff who wanted to be known as Teo, 49, he said the crowd would be much bigger if all DAP national leaders could come to give speeches.

"I have been attending DAP ceramah since I was 15. I have never missed a single ceramah by DAP (in Sibu).

"When (former chief minister) Taib Mahmud was powerful, he didn't behave in this way. Adenan is said to expect a landslide win. He should have nothing to fear. What is he scared of?"

Among the opposition leaders and activists barred in recent weeks are Teresa Kok, Nurul Izzah Anwar, Zuraida Kamaruddin, Rafizi Ramli, Tian Chua and Ambiga Sreenevasan.

DAP Impian Sarawak rural outreach coordinator Billy Wong, the person in charge of the technical set-up at yesterday’s event in Sibu, said Pua, the DAP publicity chief, mooted the use of Skype after he was banned.

"This is our first time doing this… We have expected that this (failure) could happen," he said, adding that they have gone through a series of trial and error before putting it to test.

According to him, the organisers were using a portable WiFi device to stream the video which explained the unstable internet connection.

‘Next time, we do more tests before the ceramah," he vowed.