KUCHING: As campaigning for the state election approaches its midway point, two Pakatan Harapan MPs have been denied entry into Kuching.

       The two were Subang MP Wong Chen and Beruas MP Ngeh Koo Ham.

       In a Facebook posting by Wong on Friday (Dec 10), he said he was denied entry by the state authorities, and he had wasted RM1,200 on flight tickets.

       “Immediately after purchasing the ticket, I applied for an entry permit via ‘Enter Sarawak’. The thing is you have to show proof of a paid plane ticket before you can apply for an entry permit.

       “After waiting 36 hours, finally at 9pm last night (Dec 9), the state authorities rejected my request for entry.”

       Wong lamented that his officers had to reschedule his flights to a date after the Sarawak state election.

       “Almost every option that I chose had additional charges of RM580, on top of the exorbitant RM1,200 I already paid.

       “After much wrangling, my officer finally found mid-week flight dates to Kuching in January next year,” said Wong.

       Meanwhile, Ngeh told reporters in a press conference in Parliament on Thursday that he was blacklisted by the state immigration.

       “I want an explanation from the department,” Ngeh was quoted as saying.

       Ngeh also said he was one of the five party leaders chosen to campaign for DAP in the state election.

       “I want an answer from the caretaker government why I am not allowed to campaign,” added Ngeh.

       So far, Opposition MPs who were granted entry into Kuching were Pandan MP Datuk Seri Wan Azizah Wan Ismail and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok.

       Sarawak and Sabah have autonomy on immigration and Malaysians from other states are required to present their identity cards or passport to enter into the two East Malaysian states.

       According to the latest Covid-19 SOPs by the Election Commission (EC) for the state election, interstate travel to Sarawak for the purposes of campaigning will not be allowed and only five top leaders from contesting parties will be allowed to enter Sarawak.

       The list of designated leaders who will travel to the state must be submitted to the state’s disaster management committee.

       The 12-day campaigning period will come to a close next Saturday (Dec 18) when Sarawak goes to polls.