The directive to deny an academician’s entry into Sarawak yesterday was made over concerns that his political ideas are known to be extreme in nature, according to a state official.

Sarawak’s Assistant Minister in Chief Minister’s Office (Islamic Affairs) Datuk Daud Abdul Rahman said Academician Dr Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah’s presence would cause uneasiness among non-Muslims in the state.

“It is better we prohibit him from coming in because he is bringing the Peninsular Malaysian political culture of extremism, which can disrupt the racial and religious harmony in Sarawak,” he said as quoted by The Borneo Post.

Daud acknowledged that Sarawakians had been living in peace and harmony, despite being made up of so many ethnic groups.

He also said that the state government also decided to deny Ridhuan entry for fear he would influence the local Muslim community with his ideology.

“As far as we are concerned, we will not allow Muslims or non-Muslims from outside to enter the state if we feel that their presence would cause disharmony among the people here,” said Daud.

Meanwhile, the news portal also quoted Santubong MP Datuk Seri Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar as saying, “We, in Sarawak, could not entertain extreme views, whether they are religious, racial, or political in nature.

“It is always better to avoid this kind of extremism from coming to the shores of Sarawak. We are a model of religious, racial and political harmony and we do not want to be disrupted through slanted views of outsiders.”