Sabah assembly approves motion to bar Nurul Izzah, Tian Chua from entering state

A file picture of Tian (left) and Nurul.

KOTA KINABALU: Sabah state assembly passed a special motion to bar PKR vice presidents Nurul Izzah Anwar and Tian Chua from entering the state for meeting with self-styled Sulu princess Jacel Kiram in Manila earlier this month.

Sabah Barisan Nasional assemblymen fully backed the special motion tabled by Deputy Chief Minister Datuk Raymond Tan to censure the two MPs, whose meeting with Jacel was an affront to the sovereignty of Sabah.

Jacel's father, Jamalul Kiram III, had ordered his younger brother Agniemuide to launch an intrusion into Kg Tanduo in Lahad Datu in Feb 2013, where 10 policemen and soldiers were killed before the Sulu gunmen were flushed out by early April the same year.

Deputy Speaker Datuk Johnson Tee allowed the special motion as the issue was of public interest.

Tan, in his motion, also called for an investigation to be carried out and appropriate legal action to be taken against the two for meeting Jacel.

Chief Minister Datuk Musa Aman said that he would take note of the views presented by the members of the assembly before he decided on the appropriate action.

Tian Chuan was banned from entering Sabah in April 2013, while Nurul Izzah was briefly barred from entering in May 2013.

The power to bar anyone from the state lies in the hands of the Chief Minister who will have to make decision on the two.