Rafizi barred from entering Sarawak, again
(TMI) – PKR’s strategic director Rafizi Ramli (pic) was this afternoon again denied entry into Sarawak – the second time in as many months.
See Chee How, the party’s state deputy chairman, in a text message said Rafizi was stopped by immigration officers on arrival at the Kuching international airport at around 6.20pm.
The Pandan MP reportedly was coming to canvass support for his candidature in the party’s election.
See said Rafizi had been told he would be placed on the next flight to Kuala Lumpur.
The party’s secretary-general, Datuk Saifuddin Nasution Ismail, who was to have been on the same flight with Rafizi, was spared at being declared a persona non-grata again when he decided not to make the trip.
Sarawak, using its discretionary powers over immigration under the terms of the Malaysia Agreement of 1963, had on March 27 barred Rafizi, Saifuddin, Batu member of parliament Tian Chua and the party’s wanita chief and MP for Ampang Zuraida Kamaruddin from entering the state to take part in the final run-in of the Balingian by-election.
They were all denied entry on arriving at the Sibu airport.
Rafizi and Tian Chua were travelling with their defacto leader Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim when they were stopped.
Only Anwar was allowed in.
The only other PKR leader allowed in for the by-election was Selangor Menteri Besar Tan Sri Khalid Ibrahim.
Saifuddin flew into Sibu earlier that morning.
