Shaharuddin said that as long as an issue involves the nation, it would also affect Sarawak and Sabah.

“Who says the political and economic problems in Malaysia has nothing to do with Sarawak? Some people say 1MDB and the RM2.6 billion political donation issue are irrelevant to Sarawak. How can you say that? Aren’t we all in the same country?” said Shaharuddin.

Recently Adenan had urged the opposition to debate local issues and the challenge was accepted yesterday by Sarawak DAP chief Chong Chieng Jen. Adenan said the campaign should only focus on issues concerning Sarawak and not national issues such as 1MDB as it was irrelevant to the state elections.

Shaharuddin, a professor with Universiti Selangor, was speaking at a PKR ceramah in Petra Jaya last night. About 50 people attended the ceramah. Other speakers included Tumpat MP Kamaruddin Jaafar, Sabah PKR chief Lajim Ukin, PKR members Murni Hidayah and Nurhanim Hanna Mokhsen. PKR deputy president Azmin Ali was scheduled to attend the program but cancelled at the last moment.

Shaharuddin also made a comparison between Adenan and his predecessor Taib Mahmud, describing the latter as a “gentleman”.

“When Taib was the CM, although he was not happy with the opposition, he never barred us from entering Sarawak. He’s a gentleman. But the CM now is not showing a very good example.”

Shaharuddin said this in relation to the recent ban imposed on several opposition leaders from entering Sarawak with Subang Jaya assemblywoman Hannah Yeoh being the latest leader to be barred from entering the state. PKR’s Sim Tze Tsin and Machang Bubuk assemblyman Lee Khai Loon were also banned from entering Sarawak on Friday.

Others barred included Sungai Besar Umno chief Jamal Yunos and blogger Papagomo.

Adenan has said that those on the immigration black list would be free to enter Sarawak once the state elections are over.