State minister rebukes Rafizi over ‘entry ban' remark
Sarawak minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah says Rafizi Ramli's 'jab' at the state was unfortunate given the relationship between the federal and state governments.
PETALING JAYA : A Sarawak minister has criticised Rafizi Ramli for implying that he may be denied entry into the state once again if he loses the PKR deputy presidency race and steps down from the Cabinet.
State minister Abdul Karim Rahman Hamzah said Rafizi's remarks were uncalled for.
'We have a good relationship with both Pakatan Harapan and PKR at the federal level and are together in the unity government,' the Gabungan Parti Sarawak (GPS) leader told FMT.
'Why take a jab at us?'
Karim, the information chief of GPS lynchpin Parti Pesaka Bumiputera Bersatu, insisted that the Sarawak government, which has autonomy over immigration, has always exercised its right to deny entry into the state responsibly.
He said only individuals with malicious intent—particularly those who seek to sow division through racial and religious discord—would be barred from entering Sarawak.
'If Rafizi is no longer a minister and behaves himself when in Sarawak, of course we will not bar him,' said Karim.
Between 2013 and 2018, the Sarawak government barred Rafizi and other PH leaders from entering the state.
The ban was later reviewed after PH formed the federal government in 2018.
At a PKR election campaign event last Saturday, Rafizi suggested that he might be banned from entering Sarawak if he loses his party post and stands down as minister.
AdChoices
ADVERTISING
The economy minister previously said he would relinquish his ministerial post and the party's deputy presidency if he were to lose to his challenger, Nurul Izzah Anwar, at the PKR polls, scheduled to be held today.
On Sunday, home minister and PKR colleague Saifuddin Nasution Ismail took issue with Rafizi remarks, pointing out that Sarawak was a key partner of the federal government.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
39 minutes ago
- The Star
Reforms take time, require consensus of all Madani govt partners, says Anwar
KUALA LUMPUR: Carrying out major reforms is a gradual process that requires consensus from all parties within the Madani government, says Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim. The Prime Minister acknowledged some quarters have questioned the pace of reforms under his administration, saying that there had been progress, albeit not as fast as hoped for. "For those who are impatient and want it fast – they are blinded by the facts and reality," he said, adding that Pakatan Harapan has 81 MPs, including 31 from PKR. "It is not even a simple majority," he said in his speech when launching the i-RISE Centre of Excellence here on Tuesday (June 10). He said that it was necessary to get support for reforms, including from the ruling elite and professionals. "Where do you begin? Can you undertake massive reforms in a year, or two or three? "I don't know – but what I know is that there's no turning back. "I am certain every month and every year, there must be some progression," he said. Anwar, who is also Pakatan chairman, said that the coalition must work together to implement the necessary reforms. "We are fortunate because Umno and Barisan Nasional have turned out to be one of the core pillars committed to reforms," he said. He added that the process of carrying out reforms should not be taken for granted, as it still requires crucial negotiations, discussions, and engagement. "If we do not get the consensus with key parties, including GPS and GRS, how would we get support for programmes like this?" he said. In a social media post on June 8, Subang MP Wong Chen said he was taking a two-week break to ponder his future in politics. The three-term PKR backbencher expressed concern that Pakatan had spent 15 years forming the ruling administration but had shown little progress in terms of reforms. Wong said more could be achieved if backbenchers in Dewan Rakyat pushed the Madani government harder on reforms.
Focus Malaysia
an hour ago
- Focus Malaysia
PKR MP Wong Chen told to resign if his principles no longer aligned to his party's vision
WALK the walk, not just talk the talk. That is the overwhelming sentiment among netizens upon hearing Subang MP Wong Chen declaring that he had lost faith in the Madani's administration to carry out reforms. In a Facebook post, the 56-year-old PKR lawmaker stated he was taking a family vacation before pondering his political future. Delving further, the former PKR central leadership council member was of the opinion that the Madani government led by PKR president and Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim had little to show in terms of institutional reforms at the end of its parliamentary term. Wong who is said to be aligned with former PKR deputy president Datuk Seri Rafizi Ramli during the party's poll on May 23 lost his seat on the PKR central leadership council while Rafizi was defeated by former vice-president Nurul Izzah Anwar and subsequently offered his resignation from the Cabinet. Many netizens took to the internet to criticise the Subang MP for not walking the walk. One notable post on X by Endie (@The_Endie) queried why the lawyer did not step down from his lucrative position as non-executive chairman of Malaysia Debt Ventures Bhd (MDV) – a government-linked company under the purview of the Finance Ministry (MOF). The hypocrisy of @WongChen_MY – lamenting on the lack of reforms by PKR when he himself a political appointee in MDV, a GLC under MOF. You're the enabler of this lack of reform! Why don't you resign from MDV like how Rafizi and Nik Nazmi did? Chairman allowance too big to let go? — Endie (@The_Endie) June 9, 2025 It was argued that Wong was an enabler for the lack of reforms and that he should resign from MDV. Or were the privileges afforded by the position too plump to give up, chided the poster. Only in defeat did the MP wake up from his slumber, claimed one irate commenter. 'Enlightenment' comes at a cost was the insinuation from the commenter, referring to Wong's defeat in party polls. One netizen took the opportunity to remind Wong of previous pronouncements on lack of political will by previous leaders to carry out reforms. Even on Wong's own FB post, there were those who saw the declaration as a sign of an MP abandoning ship. Of course, some took the opportunity to highlight the lawyer's decision to holiday in France by insinuating that Malaysian MPs are a well-remunerated lot. If only more politicians would dare speak up instead of toeing the party line would there be greater public confidence in their utterances. As one commenter observed, none of them can be taken for granted. Suddenly seeing the light when they have lost an election smacks of sour grapes and self-interest. At the moment, Wong's post just feeds into the perception that those aligned with PKR are just full of hot air. – June 10, 2025 Main image credit: Wing Chen/Facebook
Free Malaysia Today
an hour ago
- Free Malaysia Today
Sangetha Jayakumar appointed Wanita PKR secretary
Sangetha Jayakumar, a former Wanita PKR vice-chief, has been appointed secretary of the wing. (Facebook pic) PETALING JAYA : Sangetha Jayakumar, the daughter of former PKR vice-president Dr Xavier Jayakumar, has been appointed Wanita PKR secretary for the 2025-2028 term. Her appointment was announced by the wing's chief Fadhlina Sidek today. Prior to the party polls, Sangetha had criticised former Bar Council president Ambiga Sreenevasan for proposing an end to the women's wings in political parties, saying the idea was 'detached' from the realities faced by women in politics. Sangetha is a former Wanita PKR vice-president. Fadhlina appointed Perlis opposition leader Gan Ay Ling to the post of treasurer. Bukit Lanjan assemblyman Pua Pei Ling will lead the strategy bureau while former Machap Jaya assemblyman Ginie Lim will lead the international bureau. In a statement, Fadhlina said: 'I am confident they will be able to carry out their responsibilities with integrity and will be progressive and inclusive in pushing the party's agenda.'
