Kit Siang tells Sarawak to walk the talk on Malaysia Agreement

The Sarawak government must uphold the Malaysia Agreement allowing citizens to enter the state for political activities, if the state hopes for its rights to be similarly upheld under the same agreement.

"It is very clearly set out that legitimate political activity is permissible, that there should not be any banning of any Malaysians from West Malaysia who come for legitimate political activities," said DAP supremo Lim Kit Siang.

"To continue to ban Pakatan Harapan leaders would be a violation of Malaysia Agreement 1963, and the Sarawak government must set an example (so as) to get full respect and the restoration of the rights in the agreement."

The Gelang Patah MP was speaking to reporters after his arrival at Kuching International Airport this afternoon. Unlike several PKR leaders who were turned away yesterday, Lim was not barred from entering the state.

Yesterday, PKR MPs Zuraida Kamaruddin and Hee Loy Sian were barred from entering Sarawak upon arriving at Miri airport.

PKR's Kuala Sepetang assemblyperson Chua Yee Ling, who managed to enter via Miri for a PKR dinner last night, was also evicted from the state after Immigration and police officers gatecrashed the event.

Many top Harapan leaders are in Sarawak for its ceramah centered around its manifesto for the state.

Harapan chairperson Dr Mahathir Mohamad and Lim are among those expected to speak in Kuching tonight.

‘Uncivilised and unprofessional’

Meanwhile, in a statement today, Chua said she does not blame the Immigration officers over her eviction as they were only carrying out their duties.

"Instead, I reserve my condemnation for the abuse of power by the Sarawak government.

"I fully respect Sarawak’s autonomy and power, but this responsibility must not be abused in this undemocratic, uncivilised and unprofessional manner."

Chua explained that she was scheduled to attend events such as a visit to an old folks' home, among others.

"I don't understand how any of this a threat to national security, and I demand an answer from the chief minister," she said.

Meanwhile, Lim addressed former inspector-general of police Rahim Noor's reminder that an Islamic state was not envisaged when Malaysia was formed.

"It was stated in the Cobbold Commission report. I call upon the Sabah and Sarawak chief ministers to fully endorse what Rahim said.

"To declare that as far as Malaysia is concerned, the fundamental liberties and nation-building principles (was to include that) Malaysia is a secular state. Let the Sabah and Sarawak chief ministers uphold what Rahim said."

Rahim (photo) was reported last week as reminding the government that people in both Sabah and Sarawak had strongly disagreed that Islam should be the religion of the new federation during discussions that had led to the Malaysia Agreement

-Mkini