The Election Is Over, So Why Is CM Adenan Still Blocking Activists From Entering Sarawak?
IMHO, it's not only wrong but also politically motivated.
By Sadho Ram — 14 May 2016, 06:00 AM
CM Adenan has used Sarawak's autonomy over its immigration regulations to bar opposition leaders and activists from Peninsular Malaysia from entering the east Malaysian state, on the condition that those barred would be allowed back in after the election
Notwithstanding the fact that CM Adenan was clearly abusing the immigration act, his assurance that federal opposition politicians and activists on the immigration blacklist would be free to enter Sarawak once the state election gets over was appreciated.
However, on 12 May, Parti Sosialis Malaysia's (PSM) central committee member S. Arutchelvan was barred from entering Sarawak, despite the fact that state election got over on 7 May
The west Malaysian civil society leader, who was supposed to be coordinating a human rights awareness workshop for indigenous communities in Sarawak, was stopped at Miri airport.
"No reason was given by the Immigration officer," Arutchelvan said.
On one hand, CM Adenan is said to have dedicated himself to the welfare of the people of Sarawak, and on the other he deliberately bars an activist who was going to the state to provide human rights training for the people.
Does this not make CM Adenan's stance on the welfare of the people a bit hypocritical?
By blocking Arutchelvan and subsequently preventing him from conducting his human rights awareness workshop for Sarawak orang asal, the state government, contrary to its claim, seems to be clearly showing its disregard for human rights.
While PSM has condemned the ban and has called on the Sarawak state government to explain the justification behind the banning of Arutchelvan from entering the state, it should go without saying that Adenan's this move is not only wrong but also politically motivated
Meanwhile, read how Barisan Nasional captured 72 seats out of the 82-seat state assembly in the recently concluded Sarawak election:
This story is the personal opinion of the writer.
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