A businessman and education activist who was excited about a reunion with his family in Sarawak has his hope shattered when the immigration authority rejected an application for

him to enter the state during Chinese New Year.

Tan Seng Hin, 63, was banished from Sarawak for a year in December 2001. Since the order expired late last year, he had attempted numerous times to enter the state but his applications for a social visit pass were denied repeatedly.

Malaysians born outside Sarawak and Sabah are required to have a social visit pass in order to

stay in the two states.

When contacted, Tan said he was "very disappointed" with the decision conveyed to his wife Loo Ah Looi yesterday by the state immigration department.

On Jan 6, Loo had applied to the department to allow Tan, a father of two, to be with the family for three weeks in view of the upcoming festive occasion.

"But they rejected the application with no stated reasons as usual. The decision did not take into consideration at all the importance of the occasion for me and my family," said Tan.

Family upset

He said his family was also upset with the decision because they had met o­nly several times over the past couple of years.

Tan was actively involved in a Chinese clan association and several education groups when he was in Sarawak. He lived in the state for 23 years.

Since he left the state, he has been working in China for a Singapore-based property company and returns to Malaysia occasionally.

Deputy Home Affairs Minister Zainal Abidin Zin had labelled Tan a "security threat" without elaborating when his deportation was raised in parliament last year.

However, the educationist has claimed that his deportation resulted from his objection against the

state government's decision to change the teaching medium in two Miri Chinese independent schools from Mandarin to English.

Tan told malaysiakini he was not sure if he would ever be allowed to enter Sarawak again.

He said he would arrange for his family to come to the peninsula for Chinese New Year celebration at his friend's house.