Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) secretary-general Datuk Saifuddin Nasution was barred from entering Sarawak after arriving in Sibu at 11am today to help the Pakatan Rakyat candidate in the upcoming Balingian by-election.
“Upon arrival in Sibu this morning, he was informed by an officer that a directive to block him from entering the State was issued by the Sarawak Chief Minister’s office on Saturday,” said PKR communications director Fahmi Fadzil in a press statement.
He said Saifuddin is now waiting for a flight back to Kuala Lumpur.
“PKR vehemently denounces this undemocratic action. It clear political despotism still exists, Taib Mahmud’s influence continues to inhibit the growth of democracy in Sarawak despite the change of Sarawak Chief Minister,” said Fahmi.
The Balingian state seat was vacated after Chief Minister Tan Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud resigned from all his posts on February 28, after 33 years of service. He was replaced as Chief Minister by Tan Sri Adenan Satem. The Balingian by-election, slated to take place on March 29, will be contested by Yussibnosh Balo of Barisan Nasional and Abdul Jalil Bujang of Pakatan Rakyat.
Story: The Star Online
