PENAMPANG: The Sabah Immigration Department must provide justification for its decision to restrict the entry of Coalition for Clean and Fair Elections (Bersih) Executive Director and activist Asraf Sharafi Mohammad Azhar and to place him under a Notis Amaran Sabah (NAS), said DAP Sabah Deputy Chairperson Jannie Lasimbang.
Jannie said Asraf, as a civil society activist, should not be treated as a security threat unless authorities can demonstrate that he poses an immediate risk to the State’s security.
She added that in the absence of such justification, he should be allowed to enter Sabah and reunite with his wife and children.
It was reported that Asraf was denied entry into Sabah upon arrival at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) around 7pm on Tuesday and was subsequently deported to Kuala Lumpur the same night.
The restriction reportedly came just days before an anti-corruption gathering is scheduled to take place this weekend.
Jannie noted that while Sabah has constitutional autonomy over immigration matters, such powers must be exercised judiciously and in accordance with democratic principles.
She said restricting the movement of a civil society activist raises legitimate concerns regarding the freedom of peaceful assembly, which should only be limited where there are compelling security grounds.
Jannie urged the Sabah Government to overturn the ban unless there are compelling and justifiable security grounds, and to provide assurances that activists and members of civil society will not be restricted from entering Sabah solely for exercising their democratic rights.
