S'WAK POLLS It is Human Resources and Environment Minister Wan Junaidi Tuanku Jaafar who should understand the 1963 Malaysia Agreement before criticising others held DAP national vice-chairperson Teresa Kok.

She was chastising Wan Junaidi for his remarks in response to Selangor Menteri Besar Mohamed Azmin Ali.

Azmin had earlier commented on the Sarawak government's banning of opposition leaders from Sarawak, and Wan Junaidi had responded by saying that the Selangor MB should study the 1963 Malaysia Agreement before questioning the Sarawak's government's immigration autonomy.

"It is Wan Junaidi himself, who should study and understand the words and spirit of the 1963 Malaysia Agreement before supporting the blatant abuse of autonomy immigration powers by (Sarawak Chief Minister) Adenan Satem," she said in a statement today.

Wan Junaidi had said it was the state government’s right to look after and safeguard Sarawak’s interest from elements that could undermine peace and harmony.

"I am surprised that Wan Junaidi would come out with such an argument and defence when it is so clear that Adenan's action, in imposing a blanket ban on peninsular opposition leaders from entering the state to carry out legitimate political activities, is a blatant abuse of the state’s immigration autonomy powers," said Kok.

Level playing field denied

As a lawyer, Wan Junaidi should know that it was wrong and against the spirit of the agreement to ban peninsular opposition leaders from entering the state to carry out legitimate political activities, she added.

It is so clear, she said, that this banning these opposition leaders, herself included, was to deny the opposition a level playing field in the state election.

She stressed that DAP respects Sarawak's immigration autonomy powers, but not when it is so blatantly abused.

"There is no doubt that Sarawak BN will be able to retain state power on May 7, so it is puzzling why Adenan is so afraid of the opposition that he is prepared to go down in history as being worse than his predecessor Taib Mahmud, in abusing the autonomy immigration powers," she asserted.

More than 40 opposition lawmakers, activists and academicians are on the Sarawak state government’s ban list.

The state exercises immigration autonomy as part of the 1963 Malaysia agreement.