By DayakDaily Team
KUCHING, April 4: Sarawakian activist Peter John Jaban and Sabahan activist Atama Katama want United Malays National Organisation (Umno) Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh and four others banned from the two Borneo regions for allegedly contributing ‘to the escalation of racial and religious tensions, as well as social discord in the region’.
According to a joint statement issued today by Peter John (Sarawak Association for People’s Aspirations, or SAPA) and Atama (Sabah Defenders of Ancestral Lands, or MOPOT), the four others are Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, Muhammad Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, Syakir Nasoha, and Firdaus Wong Wai Hung.
The Borneo activists called upon the Sarawak government to revise its immigration blacklist in order to maintain peace and harmony.
“This call emphasises the need to include individuals who have contributed to the escalation of racial and religious tensions, as well as social discord in the region.
“This demand is in response to recent events that have threatened peace and harmony in Sarawak and Sabah,” read the statement.
Peter John also highlighted Sarawak’s autonomy to regulate its immigration powers as outlined in Malaysia Agreement 1963 (MA63).
He further quoted the late Pehin Sri Adenan Satem, who advocated for barring ‘extremists, religious bigots, and troublemakers’ from Peninsular Malaysia.
“Sarawak Premier Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg should build a new list of individuals not welcomed in Sarawak, to protect the interests of our region, maintain a peaceful environment, and uphold the values of inclusivity, tolerance, and social harmony.
“The proposed updated immigration blacklist includes individuals who have incited protests and boycotts, fueled racial and religious intolerance, created fear and insecurity, and promoted divisive attitudes,” he asserted.
Peter John also stated that the move would align with the State government’s long-standing practice of preventing individuals who pose a threat to the multi-racial and religious harmony of Sarawak from entering the state.
The Sarawakian activist further quoted Adenan: “Jaga Sarawak bait bait (Take good care of Sarawak). We are peaceful people.”
Additionally, he pointed out that the late former Chief Minister used the State’s immigration autonomy to declare that ‘extremists, religious bigots, and troublemakers’ from other states, including foreigners, would be barred from entering.
“Therefore we demand that the Premier of Sarawak, Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg, should build a new list of peoples that we don’t want to come to Sarawak.
“This is an effort to retain the peaceful situation in Sarawak, as the late former Chief Minister Tan Sri Adenan Satem has added two more people to his immigration blacklist: ex-Perkasa chief Ibrahim Ali and Sungai Besar Umno division chief Datuk Seri Jamal Md Yunos,” Peter John said.
In the meantime, Atama stated that the call for an updated immigration blacklist is intended to protect Sarawak and Sabah’s interests, maintain a peaceful environment, and uphold the values of inclusivity, tolerance, and social harmony. — DayakDaily
