Banning activist abuse of immigration power – Jeffrey

(Borneo Post Online) – The United Borneo Front (UBF) is strongly against the state’s decision to ban activist Harris Ibrahim from entering the state, saying it is a total abuse of immigration power.

In a statement here yesterday, UBF chairman Datuk Dr Jeffrey Kitingan said it was outrageous to ban the entry of president of the Malaysian Civil Rights Movement (MCLM) supposedly due to security threats without further elaboration.

“Harris is only an activist promoting civil liberties and freedom of movement and speech which are rights guaranteed by the Federal Constitution.

So how much threat can he create for the state? Is the movement for democracy also a threat?” he asked.

On Wednesday, Harris, a Malaysian blogger believed to be a close friend of well-known blogger Raja Petra Kamarudin, was prevented from entering Sabah upon his arrival on AirAsia flight AK5106 at 3.10pm at Terminal 2 of Kota Kinabalu International Airport.

Chief Minister Datuk Seri Musa Aman said the relevant authority could stop anyone from entering the state with valid reasons.

Sabah, he pointed out, welcomes visitors to the state but the Immigration Department will bar the entry of any individual(s) if there was a reason for it to do so.