Bersih 2.0′s Maria Chin barred from Sarawak
(Free Malaysia Today) – Bersih 2.0 secretariat member Maria Chin Abdullah has been barred from entering Sarawak.
Maria who is also Empower Malaysia’s executive director had flown in to Kuching this morning to meet Sarawak’s Bersih 2.0 activists.
In a Twitter message to Bersih 2.0 chairperson, S Ambiga, Maria said: “Oh dear, I can’t go for the rain forest festival now. Bersih banned from Sarawak. At immigration now.”
Maria said that she was initially not allowed access to a lawyer. However, lawyer See Chee How is also Batu Lintang state rep from PKR, is negotiating to meet Maria who is at the Kuching international airport.
In a Twitter message, Maria also added that she has been barred from entering Sarawak on “instructions from the top.”
When contacted, she said the state immigration had booked her on a 11.55am AirAsia flight back to KL.
“And I have to pay for it. This was an order from the Chief Minister’s office,” she said.
She also said that she was told by the immigration that she had to seek written permission before stepping into Sarawak.
“If I want to enter I have to write and get permission. I was denied a lawyer. I have been denied the right and freedom of expression,” said Maria.
