Shafie said that since the change of government after the May 2018 general election, the state had lifted previous bans imposed on several political personalities from entering the state.

“Well, I was quite surprised because since I took over, we didn’t restrict anyone from entering Sabah,” he told reporters after distributing land titles in Kota Belud today.

Previously, Tian Chua, Nurul Izzah Anwar and Teresa Kok were among those stopped from entering Sabah.

“When I took over as chief minister, after two days I signed (the order) to exclude them (from the ban list).

“This (barring people from entering Sabah) must be coordinated with the state. The federal government can’t make a decision because the authority to restrict anyone from coming lies with the state government.

“The right is still vested with the state government. That is part of the constitution,” he said.

Earlier today, Lim said he was barred from entering Sabah late last night, before eventually being allowed in.

In a Facebook post, the former finance minister said he arrived at the Kota Kinabalu International Airport at 11.54pm and went through immigration checks.

“As I was about to enter the car (to leave the airport), a senior Immigration Department official asked me to go back in (the airport). I cooperated and went into the Immigration Department office,” said Lim, adding that the immigration officers said MACC had stopped him from entering the state.

Shafie said he had communicated with the state immigration director over the matter.

He said the state will only bar people from coming in if they posed a risk to its harmony by dividing the people.

“So we will ensure such people cannot enter. I was made to understand that in Lim’s case, he was on the MACC list, so they said this move was made by Kuala Lumpur.

“But on immigration, we have rules. For example, KL can only decide on matters involving people who have outstanding income tax payments or if they were on the MACC list of those who cannot leave the country. But they are still able to travel between states.

“I was told they wanted to inform (Lim) not to leave Malaysia,” he said.

Shafie said if anyone on the list was not allowed to travel to Sabah, then other political leaders should receive the same treatment.

“That means even (former prime minister) Najib Razak can’t enter … other leaders as well, correct?

“Don’t just impose these rules on one person but to all. Like some people who came back from Turkey to the country and did not follow SOPs, how much was the fine? Tidak penjara pun (person was not even jailed).

“But don’t only bar people but bar the money from coming into Sabah, all for the politics of buying votes – that’s corruption,” he said.

MACC chief commissioner Azam Baki had earlier denied imposing restrictions on Lim from entering Sabah.

He said there are no domestic travel restrictions on Lim, who has been charged with abuse of power and money laundering.

“The court only impounded his passport so he cannot leave the country. He can enter Sabah using his IC,” he was quoted as saying in a news report.