Nurul Izzah's ban from Sarawak justified for being unpatriotic, insensitive

The ban from entering Sarawak imposed on Lembah Pantai MP Nurul Izzah Anwar has been described as justified because of her unpatriotic and insensitive attitude.

Abdullah Saidol, chief political secretary to the Sarawak chief minister, today said Nurul Izzah should know better than to offend the people here and in Sabah.

"A Sarawakian police officer was among those killed in the Tandou incursion at Lahad Datu by an armed group from the Philippines in 2015.

"Nurul Izzah had recently met with Jacel Kiram, the daughter of the self- proclaimed Sulu Sultan Jamalul Kiram, one of those directly involved," he said.

Abdullah said just last month too, another Sarawakian, Bernard Then, was killed in a violent manner by Suluk kidnappers from the Philippines.

Nurul Izzah, a PKR vice-president, was met by Immigration officers as soon as she arrived at the Kuching International Airport at about 4pm yesterday to announce the party candidates for the coming state election last night.

However, an officer told her that she was persona non grata and was asked to leave on the next flight.

Abdullah said it was not an abuse of power by the state government as it had the right to look after and preserve the existing harmony and unity among its people.

"If Sabah can ban Nurul Izzah from coming in, why can't Sarawak?

"We will not only bar Nurul Izzah, but also others who harbour ill intent and who want to sow the seeds of racial and religious discord in the state," Abdullah said.

He said Nurul Izzah had abused her liberty to speak by being in the company of Jacel, the daughter of Jamalul Kiram, who was regarded as an enemy of the nation.