I arrived at Sibu Airport on 22 April 2016 around 10:55am for a Christian event to be held tonight in a local church. At the immigration counter, I was told that my name is listed amongst those who have been banned from entering Sarawak. I travelled with 2 of my assistants, Sharon and Joyce, both were not allowed to be with me.
I was escorted into a room and the officer refused to read my invitation letter from the hosting church or my Speaker namecard. When asked why I was banned, the officer could only reply “I’m sorry Puan, ini atas arahan pihak berkuasa negeri Sarawak”.
2 officers from MAS then entered the room and demanded for cash of RM1013.35 for my return flight to KLIA (no credit card allowed). In less than 45 minutes after arrival, I was escorted by 3 uniformed officers back to the plane.
I felt humiliated by such treatment, giving the false impression that I’m a dangerous person, harmful to the state of Sarawak.
I have 2 questions for Adenan Satem:-
- Federal Constitution guarantees my right to practise my religion freely – why was I not allowed to attend a church event with my fellow believers in Sibu? Pastors were waiting to pick me up from the airport.
- On what grounds did Adenan Satem use to ban me from entering Sarawak? Why wasn’t anyone able to explain this at the immigration office?
I was not given any paper/slips explaining the deportation. Immigration laws were enacted to protect the people of Sarawak. I organised fundraising dinners in Selangor to build basic infrastructures for the poor in Sarawak.
How can that be a threat? Am I a threat to the people of Sarawak or am I a threat to the unrighteous authorities in Sarawak?
I would like an explanation from the Barisan Nasional caretaker government for the above, failing which an apology would be appropriate.