Musa had said it would be “stupid” of his administration to allow anyone into the state, knowing they would “create chaos, tell lies and resort to slander”.
His comments were in response to Liew’s query at the state legislative assembly here yesterday on whether the government would consider lifting the entry ban on opposition leaders such as PKR vice-presidents Nurul Izzah Anwar and Tian Chua.
“The ban imposed on Nurul and Tian Chua and others, including (PKR vice-president) Rafizi Ramli, is clearly politically motivated to suppress the opposition’s influence in Sabah,” Liew told FMT.
“What are the actual charges and the empirical evidence that warrant or justify the banning of these MPs?
“What wrongs did they commit when they were in Sabah previously, when they were only highlighting the wrongs committed by the government?”
The Api Api assemblywoman also urged the Sabah government to use its special immigration powers on “deserving people” instead of elected MPs.
“While Musa said it is ‘stupid’ to not use the state’s immigration powers, it is definitely wrong and deplorable to abuse it for political reasons.
“Given the immigration law, Musa should look to ban those who come into Sabah using the ‘back door’ instead of elected MPs.”
On whether PKR would apply for a judicial review to reverse the travel ban, Liew said the ban was politically motivated so it should be “resolved the political way”.
Liew also urged the Sabah government to follow the example of its Sarawak counterpart, which had retracted its entry ban on some opposition leaders.
Tian Chua had his ban lifted by Sarawak to attend the funeral of Dr Patau Rubis, the Sarawak Reform Party founding president, in March.
PKR national women’s chief Zuraida Kamaruddin was allowed into Sarawak last Saturday after she had been turned back by the airport’s immigration in 2013, 2014 and 2016.
Sabah and Sarawak have autonomy in immigration matters and occasionally shut their doors on those from the peninsula whom they deem unwelcome.