KOTA SAMARAHAN: BN candidate for Muara Tuang Datuk Idris Buang has told Peninsular Malaysia-based opposition parties not to assume that they are in sync with the political culture in Sarawak.
According to Idris who spoke to reporters yesterday, he said there it was not unfathomable that Chief Minister Datuk Patinggi Tan Sri Adenan Satem should ban ‘undesirable elements’ from entry under the autonomous immigration laws of Sarawak.
This was because the Peninsular Malaysia-based opposition parties are bringing in their own brand of politics which is off-tangent to local sentiments.
“What the chief minister is doing is to safeguard Sarawak. The political culture in Peninsular Malaysia is different and he does not want Sarawakians to be influenced by their political culture,” he added.
He reckons that opposition party leaders from the peninsula should first understand the political culture of Sarawakians before contemplating on setting foot in the state.
Idris was referring to the ‘unkind cut’ by PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali during a rally recently (April 30) held at Siburan, in which he said off the cuff that the chief minister is “treating Sarawak like his father’s state”.
Azmin too commented that he refused to file a formal request to extend his stay here after being told that he was eligible to do so.
Azmin, who is also Selangor Menteri Besar, said he was officially informed of his deadline by an Immigration officer upon his arrival at Kuching International Airport (on April 29).
He expressed consternation that he would have to exit the state by May 2 and would not be allowed to re-enter until polling day on May 7.
It was revealed on Saturday that the chief minister was willing to consider an extension for both Penang chief minister and the Selangor Menteri Besar in Sarawak upon receiving their formal request.
Idris was attending an event organised by the Sarawak Muaythai Association (PMNS), held at a local mall here. Also present were Kota Samarahan MP Rubiah Wang and PMNS president Jumaat Ibrahim.