KOTA KINABALU: Parti Warisan is calling on the Sabah government to be transparent and explain its use of the state’s immigration rights following reports that at least four leaders of election watchdog group Bersih were denied entry.
"If the state government has valid reasons for this restriction, explain them. If there are no strong grounds, the government should reconsider the decision," Warisan information chief Datuk Azis Jamman said in a statement on Monday (Aug 31).
"The greater the powers we demand for Sabah, the greater our responsibility to use them transparently and prudently."
He added that Sabah wants its rights to be respected, but the state should also be acknowledged for how it exercises its powers.
"That is a Sabah that is mature, democratic, and confident in itself," he said.
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Sabah Bersih vice-chairman Muhamad Fadhil Muhamad Kasim issued a statement that the group's advocacy officer Anas Nor'azim was barred from entering when he arrived at the Tawau Airport on Saturday (Aug 29).
Bersih chairman Faisal Aziz and committee member Alyaah Hani were also informed that they have been barred from entering Sabah since June 30.
Fadhil said that Bersih executive director Asraf Sharafi also faced a similar restriction earlier.
Azis said the barring of civil society activists raises serious questions because it is no longer an isolated case.
He said if there were security threats or violations of the law, the government had a responsibility to act.
"If that is the reason for restricting certain (individuals), then explain it as far as the law allows," he added.
He said differences of opinion or criticism of the government should not automatically be considered a threat as the state need not fear dissenting voices.
"We do not have to agree with Bersih on everything. The government also has the right to respond and defend its position. But in a democracy, differences of opinion should be answered with facts, arguments and debate.
"As we celebrate Merdeka, our maturity is not measured only by how much power we hold, but by how that power is used fairly, responsibly and with respect for the rights of the people. This is also part of nation‑building.
"Sabah and Malaysia will be stronger when the people know they have space to speak, to differ, and to participate in the democratic process without fear," he added.
