Businessman and Chinese educationist Tan Seng Hin was ordered to leave Sarawak yesterday after his application to extend his stay was rejected.

The Sarawak state immigration department made the decision not allow Tan to remain in the state without offering any explanation. His social visit pass expired on Monday.

The Chinese educationist lived in Miri with his family for 23 years until he was deported by the state's immigration officials in January last year. He was banned from reentering Sarawak until Dec 6, 2001.

Tan returned to the state on Dec 31 and was permitted to stay until Jan 14 on a social visit pass.

Deputy Home Affairs Minister Zainal Abidin Zin, when asked in parliament earlier last year labeled the Chinese educationist 'a security threat'.

Tan, 61, who is married to a Sarawakian and a father of two, claimed he was deported for criticising the state government's decision to change the medium of instruction in two Miri schools from Mandarin to English.

Children affected

Tan told malaysiakini he has written to the Sarawak state secretary expressing his disappointment over the rejection of his appeal to extend his stay in the state.

Tan said he will abide by the order to leave Sarawak but added he is determined to return to Miri on Feb 2 to celebrate Chinese New Year with his family. Tan is scheduled to leave Miri for Johor this Friday.

"I have treated Sarawak as my home and know no other place as home," he said in his letter of appeal which he also faxed to malaysiakini .

He added that his expulsion on Dec 6, 2000 had a great impact his family, especially on his children's education.

The Sarawak state government holds arbitrary power over social visit passes issued to the state and is empowered to deport holders without giving any reason.