Parti Sosialis Malaysia (PSM) central committee member S Arutchelvan is the latest victim to be barred from entering Sarawak early today.

Arutchelvan, who was supposed to be coordinating a human rights awareness workshop for Sarawak orang asal today, attempted to enter Sarawak via the Miri airport.

However, like scores of other politicians recently banned from travelling to Sarawak during the run-up to the state polls, he was stopped at the immigration checkpoint and was informed that he is prohibited from setting foot into the state.

PSM promptly condemned the action of immigration authorities under the direction of the state government for preventing Arutchelvan and other activists from visiting Sarawak.

"The restrictions against activists from entering Sarawak violated both basic rights and freedom of movement. Such actions seem politically motivated and disrupt democratic space and showcases the arrogance of the state government under Chief Minister Adenan Satem," said the party's deputy secretary-general Choo Chon Kai.

He urged the Sarawak government to provide a satisfactory explanation on the entry restriction slapped against Arutchelvan.

Arutchelvan joins a long list of activists deemed undesirable by state authorities for supposedly posing a threat to Sarawak harmony.

Others on the list included Batu MP Tian Chua, Bersih 2.0 chief Maria Chin and activist Adam Adli.

The list of those banned from travelling to Sarawak was expanded to include many opposition leaders in the lead-up to the May 7 Sarawak polls.

This action was taken despite a clear provision in the Immigration Act, which states that a citizen cannot be restricted from entering an East Malaysian state "for the sole purpose of engaging in legitimate political activity".

Adenan had said that banned activists and politicians are welcome to visit Sarawak as tourists after the state election.