Kota Kinabalu: Chief Minister's Political Secretary Datuk Azrul Ibrahim (pic) has dismissed allegations linking Chief Minister Datuk Seri Hajiji Noor to the entry ban imposed on Bersih executive director Asraf Sharafi Mohammad Azhar, describing the claims as excessive and unfounded.
Azrul said allegations by social activist Hamdin Nordin on social media that Hajiji had directed the ban were inappropriate, particularly as the Chief Minister is currently performing the umrah pilgrimage in Saudi Arabia.
He said decisions on the issuance of a Sabah Warning Notice (NAS) are made by the relevant authorities after considering risk assessments, legal provisions and the State's security interests, and urged all parties to respect Sabah's special immigration powers under the Federal Constitution and related laws.
Azrul also said he had contacted Asraf to obtain further information and understood that Asraf's wife and children are in Sabah.
Earlier, Hamdin alleged on Facebook that Asraf had been barred from entering Sabah on Hajiji's instructions, while Asraf said he was denied entry upon arriving at Kota Kinabalu International Airport (KKIA) after being informed his name had been placed under the NAS, although authorities have yet to issue an official explanation for the decision.
