Adenan delivering his speech during meet-the-people-session at Kpg Petanak, Mukah.
Adenan says banning known bigots, racists who have created trouble in Peninsular Malaysia has nothing to do with by-election
MUKAH: Chief Minister Tan Sri Datuk Amar Adenan Satem says he has a list of individuals who will be barred from entering the state.
“I intend to increase the list to keep out more trouble-makers. I have to protect the state from undesirable elements,” Adenan told the media at Mukah Airport here before flying back to Kuching yesterday.
When asked whether those individuals would be barred from entering Sarawak just during the duration of the Balingian by-election, Adenan said the travel ban was permanent and was not connected to the by-election.
Earlier, when speaking to community leaders at a leading resort here, Adenan said those individuals who are barred from entering Sarawak are those who have created troubles, such as those who have been known to be racists and religious bigots from Peninsular Malaysia.
On Friday, he issued a strongly worded press statement on the danger which could be caused by these people if they were allowed entry into the state.
The people of Sarawak, Adenan pointed out, had always been tolerant towards each other regardless of their race and religions. He even quoted a paragraph of the Gospel of St Luke on the prophecy of the birth of St John the Baptist.
“I know the bible and I can read the scriptures. But it doesn’t mean that I am a Christian, no…. But I respect the religions of others,” said Adenan, who said he studied in Catholic schools before furthering his studies overseas.
On the chances of the Barisan Nasional (BN) candidate Yussibnosh Balo to win the Balingian by-election, Adenan said the BN was “cautiously confident of winning the by-election but we are not taking things for granted because the opposition might be up to their old tricks again”.
Adenan also delivered the message from former Chief Minister Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud that if the people had appreciated his (Taib’s) contributions to Balingian and the state, they would vote for the BN candidate, who is also from his former party – PBB.
Later at Kpg Petanak near here, the chief minister explained that he had asked earlier Akit Sebli who was supposed to stand in the by-election to choose someone else who is much younger to replace him and Akit, said without hesitation named Yussibnosh, as the BN candidate, even though Akit is PBB Balingian Division’s vice-chairman.
“It is him (Akit) who recommended Yussibnosh to be the BN candidate. Because of that gesture, I compliment Akit for being a gentleman,” said Adenan.
Meanwhile, Akit who hails from the village assured that the 907 voters there would support the BN’s candidate come polling day on March 29.
“I have no hard feeling for not being chosen. What is most important is for the BN to win this by-election as it is the former seat of the former Chief Minister and the current Yang di-Pertua Negeri Pehin Sri Abdul Taib Mahmud,” Akit had told The Borneo Post.