PKR vice-president Shamsul Iskandar Mohd Akin is the latest opposition leader to be denied entry into Sarawak by the state's immigration ahead of the state election.

However, in what is a first, unlike several opposition leaders who were deported before him, Shamsul managed to talk his way to eventually be allowed into the state.

Shamsul, who arrived at Kuching International Airport on Malindo Air Fight OD1622, which departed from KLIA at 5.50pm, said he was immediately detained by immigration on arrival.

"The name of the officer who detained me is Andrew.

"Andrew informed me that I am not allowed to enter Sarawak due to instructions from the top," he said in a series of Twitter postings.

However, at 11.30pm, more than three hours after being detained, Shamsul's personal assistant Naquiddin Nazrin said "diplomacy" got his boss into the state.

"Latest update on YB: he has been allowed into Sarawak after diplomatic discussions with immigration," he told Malaysiakini .

Several opposition leaders and activists have previously been blocked from entering the state.

Other PKR leaders who are barred from entering Sarawak are PKR vice-presidents Nurul Izzah Anwar, Tian Chua and Rafizi Ramli; PKR Wanita chief Zuraida Kamaruddin; PKR election director Saifuddin Nasution Ismail; and Subang MP R Sivarasa.

DAP's Petaling Jaya MP Tony Pua and Seputeh MP Teresa Kok were also previously deported from Sarawak.

Parti Amanah Negara (Amanah) president Mohamad Sabu was also barred from entering Sarawak in late March.

Minister in the Prime Minister's Department Joseph Kurup had said in Parliament on March 24 that opposition lawmakers are barred from entering Sarawak and Sabah because they may ' disrupt the unity ' of the Borneo states.

Sarawak exercises autonomy over immigration matters under the Malaysian agreement but are not allowed to bar people from entering the state for political activities.

Some of those deported are in the midst of mounting a legal challenge.

Sarawak Chief Minister Adenan Satem had announced that the state assembly will be dissolved on April 11 to pave the way for an election.