After Sabah, Nurul Izzah now barred from entering Sarawak

Lembah Pantai parliamentarian Nurul Izzah Anwar was barred from entering Sarawak when she landed at the Kuching International Airport about 4pm Sunday.

State Immigration director Datuk Mohd Zulfikar Ahmad, who confirmed the restriction order said ban on Nurul Izzah was instructed by state authorities, and the Immigration Department had issued the Notice of Refusal of Entry to her.

The PKR vice-president, who arrived on flight AK5120, gave good cooperation, and later boarded flight AK5211 back to Kuala Lumpur, he said in a brief statement.

Sarawak has autonomy over its immigration regulations and has barred several individuals, including academician Dr Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, Pandan MP Rafizi Ramli and Batu MP Tian Chua, from entering the state.

Meanwhile, Nurul Izzah in a statement said she was barred from entering Sarawak under Section 65 (1) of the Immigration Act 1959/63, but the section could not restrict anyone from entering Sabah and Sarawak for political purposes.

"God willing, I will return to the blessed land of Sarawak and devote all efforts to boost the welfare of the state children through the leadership of Baru Bian (Sarawak PKR chairman)."

Nurul Izzah was previously referred to the Parliamentary Rights and Privileges Committee over her meeting with Sulu Princess Jacel Kiram, the daughter of self-proclaimed Sultan Jamalul Kiram III who had ordered the armed intrusion in Lahad Datu, Sabah in 2013.