STOP being a puppet to Najib Razak.

This was PKR vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar’s advice to Sarawak Chief Minister Abang Johari Openg today after three PKR lawmakers were deported from the state yesterday.

The Lembah Pantai MP said although it was Sarawak’s right to bar and deport anyone from the state, Abang Johari should not abuse the state’s immigration powers for political self interest.

“There is no change in Sarawak Barisan Nasional’s arrogance. We appeal to them not to continue being puppets to Najib’s regime,” Nurul Izzah told the The Malaysian Insight.

She said she had received confirmation from the Chief Minister’s Office that she was on the list of those barred from entering Sarawak.

Yesterday, Nurul Izzah cancelled her plans to attend a fundraising dinner and take part in the Purple Women’s Walk in protest of “toxic politics” in Miri.

Her decision was made after two PKR lawmakers, Zuraida Kamaruddin (Ampang) and Hee Loy Sian (Petaling Jaya Selatan), were denied entry soon after arriving in Miri in the afternoon.

Later on in the evening, Kuala Sepetang assemblyman Chua Yee Ling became the third PKR leader to be deported when she had her speech cut short during the Pink Diamond dinner by Immigration officers, who gatecrashed the event and took her away.

Nurul Izzah questioned the motive behind Abang Johari’s actions.

She was only able to deliver her speech through a video aired during the dinner function in Miri last night.

“We respect the state’s rights, but will there by any meaningful change for Sarawak people if their leaders are afraid of their own shadow in a state that is supposed to be democratic?”

“They should ensure that Sarawak has a system of checks and balances. Sarawak should stand strong and have its own identity.”

The deportation yesterday came ahead of Pakatan Harapan’s first ceramah in Kuching today, where opposition coalition chairman Dr Mahathir Mohamad and DAP parliamentary leader Lim Kit Siang are expected to take the stage.

Abang Johari had earlier given an assurance that Sarawak would not bar Dr Mahathir, Kit Siang and other PH leaders from entering the state for today’s ceramah. – September 24, 2017.