Dr Akmal not barred from entering Sarawak, says minister

KUCHING: Sarawak will not bar Umno Youth chief Dr Muhamad Akmal Saleh from entering the state for his views on the socks issue, says a state minister.

Tourism, Creative Industry and Performing Arts Minister Datuk Seri Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said there was no need to deny entry to people with dissenting opinions.

"But if someone were to come here to incite and create disharmony or to pit one group against another based on race or religion, then I think they deserve to be stopped from entering Sarawak, whether they are politicians or preachers of any faith.

"Sarawak has the right to make sure that the racial and religious harmony we enjoy in the state is preserved. We do not want that to be disturbed," he told reporters here on Friday (April 5).

Abdul Karim was commenting on a call by Sarawak and Sabah activists for Dr Muhammad Akmal and four others to be barred from both Bornean states for allegedly contributing to the escalation of racial and religious tensions in the country.

The others are controversial preachers Mohd Ridhuan Tee Abdullah, Zamri Vinoth Kalimuthu, Shakir Nasoha and Firdaus Wong.

Dr Muhammad Akmal was arrested in Kota Kinabalu on Friday.

Abdul Karim also said the Federal Constitution allowed freedom of expression but there were limits.

"You must not cross the boundary and encroach into other groups. That's where the sedition law should come in," he said.

Separately, Abdul Karim said the Federal Government was addressing Sarawak's concerns with the privacy of the Central Database Hub (Padu).

"Something is being done to improve it. The Prime Minister (Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim) did mention to the Premier (Tan Sri Abang Johari Tun Openg) a few things that are being done when he was here recently.

"So we wait for the Economy Ministry to come up with it. But at least our concern is being looked into," he said.

Abdul Karim said this reflected Putrajaya's willingness to listen to the views of the people.

"What is important is that very personal data should not be required in Padu," he added.