Abg Johari: Lim in because he knows how to behave

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Abang Johari (centre) speaks at the press conference during the hi-tea. Also seen are Kuching Iron Tigers Club president Dato Sri Elly Zalihah Yusof (right) and Dato Sri Shahrizal, event main sponsor. — Photo by Tan Song Wei

Abang Johari (centre) speaks at the press conference during the hi-tea. Also seen are Kuching Iron Tigers Club president Dato Sri Elly Zalihah Yusof (right) and Dato Sri Shahrizal, event main sponsor. — Photo by Tan Song Wei

SANTUBONG: The entry of Penang Chief Minister Lim Guan Eng to Sarawak yesterday is not due to public pressure or the state government’s way of trying to avoid any forms of reaction from the public.

According to PBB deputy president Datuk Amar Abang Johari Tun Openg, the state government granted Lim entry because he was a chief minister who knew the proper etiquette and also knew how to behave in a ‘foreign country’.

“The state government expects him to behave which is why we (state government) allowed him in,” Abang Johari told reporters when representing Chief minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem at a hi-tea with the Kuching Iron Tigers Club at Damai Central yesterday.

He added that the state government was currently imposing a state entry ban on leaders or activists known to have extreme views regardless of their political affiliations.

This, he said, was to safeguard the peace and harmony of Sarawakians made up of many races and religions and should not be misconstrued as trying to put the state BN at an advantage during the election period.

“When a person has the wrong intention to come to the state during this election period, we (state government) say ‘wait a while. Come to Sarawak when the election is over’,” he added.

This was among Adenan’s ways of fighting for Sarawak’s autonomy as he treated the whole of Sarawak like a huge family living in one house.

“If someone comes to our house and wants to disturb our family what do we do? Of course we shut the doors. During the election, when you come, we know the intention is different especially those who are known to have extreme views,” he added.

He said even an Umno member Datuk Jamal Yunos, the leader of the Red Shirt rally, was barred entry into the state earlier this week.

Making up the list of known individuals from the opposition front banned from entering the state are PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin, DAP’s Tony Pua and Teo Nie Ching, PKR’s Rafizi Ramli and Nurul Izzah Anwar and Mohamad Sabu from Amanah.

Other controversial figures not affiliated to the opposition parties such as Datuk Ibrahim Ali and Ridhuan Tee Abdullah have also been barred from entering Sarawak since last year.

On another note, Abang Johari said the state BN was ready to face the May 7 state election in all 82 seats they will be contesting.

“Our chief minister will announce the remaining three seats (Marudi, Tasik Biru and Meradong) in due time,” said Abang Johari who is also BN candidate for Satok.