By Wilfred Pilo
KUCHING, Nov 16: Electoral Reform Committee (ERC) member Dr Wong Chin Huat should have been given immediate medical treatment at the Kuching International Airport (KIA) at his request after being denied entry to Sarawak.
There is a standard operating procedure (SOP) for medical emergencies, said Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Abang Johari Tun Openg.
“The SOP should allow him (Wong) to get medical service at the airport, while awaiting deportation back to Kuala Lumpur,” he told reporters after presenting Yayasan Sarawak Chief Minister’s Special Awards at the State Legislative Assembly complex here yesterday.
Wong was denied entry to the state when he landed at KIA at 4pm, Thursday. He has been listed on Sarawak’s “no entry list” since 2011.
While waiting to be deported back to Kuala Lumpur on a 8.50pm flight, Wong complained of a headache and his blood pressure shot up to 194/110, a hypertensive crisis level.
Wong contacted Health Minister, Dr Dzulkefly Ahmad, to seek medical help. The minister arranged for a doctor to check on his condition before the state allowed him to spend the night at Sarawak General Hospital.
It was understood that Wong boarded a flight back to Kuala Lumpur yesterday.
Abang Johari said the Wong could not enter the state for security reason, as he has a record on the state Immigration blacklist.
“The authority on the other side should have known that we blacklist him in Sarawak before allowing him come over,” he added.
This despite claims from Bersih 2.0 Sarawak vice-chairperson Ann Teo that Wong was granted entry to the state three months ago to participate in consultations organised by ERC.
State Immigration director Datu Ken Leben said the directive to bar certain individuals from entering Sarawak was based on Sarawak’s autonomy on Immigration as contained in the Malaysia Agreement 1963.
“My office only takes directive from the Chief Minister’s Office (on individuals barred entry to Sarawak),” he said when contacted yesterday. — DayakDaily
