Guan Eng allowed into Sabah after delay at airport

DAP secretary-general Lim Guan Eng had claimed that his entry into Sabah was held up by nearly an hour due to a Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's (MACC) directive before he was eventually allowed in.

However, when contacted by Malaysiakini, MACC chief Azam Baki said this was not true.

"There is no domestic (restriction). The court only impounded his passport so he cannot leave the country. He can enter Sabah using his IC," Azam told Malaysiakini in a text message.

Former finance minister Lim had said in a Facebook post that he flew into Kota Kinabalu last night and was given a social visit pass at 11:54pm by the airport immigration.

"Then, almost to the point of getting into the car, a senior immigration officer came to ask me to re-enter (the airport).

"I cooperated and went to the immigration office - after waiting 20 minutes, I asked what was the problem?" said Lim, who is also Bagan MP.

Lim said he was told at the time that the MACC had "set up barriers" for him to enter Sabah.

Last month, the opposition leader claimed trial to a charge of soliciting bribes in connection with the RM6.3 billion Penang undersea tunnel project.

Double standards

Describing last night's incident as double standards, Lim cited the cases involving ex-premier Najib Abdul Razak, who was found guilty and sentenced to 12 years in prison as well as fined RM210 million, and that of Umno president Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who is also facing corruption charges.

Both, he said, could enter Sabah without problems.

"This entry is (under) the powers of the state government and not the federal government," said Lim.

"Never mind, later I will ask Chief Minister Shafie Apdal whether he does not want me to enter Sabah," he added in apparent jest.

When Shafie's predecessor Musa Aman was chief minister, a number of Pakatan Harapan MPs and civil society leaders were barred from entering Sabah, including Tony Pua, Teresa Kok, Tian Chua, Nurul Izzah Anwar, Rafizi Ramli, Maria Chin Abdullah and Ambiga Sreenavasan.

Sabah will be holding a state election on Sept 26.  - Mkini