KUCHING: DAP Secretary-General Lim Guan Eng expressed his disappointment over the Sarawak state government’s barring of several opposition members from entering the state.

Lim, who is also Penang Chief Minister, said this problem never arised during the tenure of the previous Sarawak Chief Minister.

“It should not be done this way. It is unfair.

Since the new chief minister took office, most opposition members who are holding important posts were banned from entering Sarawak.

“He is unlike the previous chief minister, who is the current Yang di-Pertua Negeri Sarawak Tun Abdul Taib Mahmud.

It is something that Taib never did before,” said Lim at a press conference organised by Sarawak DAP in its headquarters near here today.

He also said the party supports the power of the Immigration Department and therefore, it should not be abused by the authorities.

He added that the power is to protect the interest of Sarawak but not to protect the interest of Barisan Nasional.

“They should prevent those who holds criminal records from entering the state but not someone who comes here for legitimate politics,” he added.

Meanwhile, Sarawak DAP announcd that it would allocate 29 seats to be contest in the upcoming state election.

Chairman Chong Chieng Jen said the name list of the candidates will be announced next week on Wednesday, April 20.-nst