Deportation: Deputy CMs apathy shocking, says Kit Siang
Susan LoonePublished: Mar 27, 2001 2:38 AM | Updated: Jan 29, 2008 10:21 AM
Sarawak Deputy Chief Minister George Chan must be held responsible for the state government's recent decision to expel a long-time resident who is a Chinese educationist, an opposition leader said today.
DAP chairman Lim Kit Siang said that neither Chan nor the Sarawak state government had given any reasons for the decision against Tan Seng Hin, a Chinese educationist cum businessman who has lived in Sarawak for 23 years.
Tan, 61, was deported from Sarawak by the state's Immigration department on Jan 6, without any reasons, after a two-week notice was served on him on the cancellation of his entry pass under Regulation 11(8) of the Immigration Regulations 1983. He was also told that he was barred from re-entering Sarawak.
"What sin or crime has Tan committed as to provoke the state's immigration autonomy to expel and bar Tan from re-entering Sarawak?" queried Lim, in a press statement today.
Lim claimed it was public knowledge that Chan had not been happy with Tan because of his position on various Chinese education issues taken in his (Tan's) capacity as secretary of the Miri Hainan Association (MHA), a position he has held since 1995.
Tan, his family and MHA, had made various efforts in the past three months to get the decision reversed, but all were in vain.
'Most shocking'
Tan was to reported to have written to Chan on Feb 13 seeking his assistance. According to Lim, the reply, which came two weeks later, said:
"I believe that the Director of Immigration and the state authority must have considered all the relevant circumstances and factors before they made that decision affecting you.
"However, I feel that you are labouring under a mistaken assumption in thinking that someone could have been denied entry to Sarawak because of his legitimate political activities.
"I shall endeavour to assist you, but I am not sure if my efforts could bring about the desired results for you."
Lim said he found Chan's indifference to Tan's appeal "most shocking, taking more than two weeks to give such an atrocious reply when he should have during the period resolved Tan's problems".
He added that if Chan was really ignorant on the reasons for Tan's expulsion and ban, then he (Chan) has been "doubly irresponsible, negligent and not fit to continue as the first deputy chief minister of Sarawak, firstly, for not knowing why Tan was expelled and secondly, for not taking immediate action to get the expulsion order revoked".
Legal help
He said that the state government had abused its powers and acted unlawfully when it expelled Tan without giving any reasons and that this illegal action could be challenged in court.
He added that DAP was prepared to offer legal assistance to take up the case on behalf of Tan, provided people were prepared to contribute to a legal fund.
Lim said if Tan was not allowed to return to Sarawak by Thursday, DAP will start a national and international campaign against Sarawak for gross violation of human rights against Tan.
Previous report:
DAP chairman Lim Kit Siang said that neither Chan nor the Sarawak state government had given any reasons for the decision against Tan Seng Hin, a Chinese educationist cum businessman who has lived in Sarawak for 23 years.
Tan, 61, was deported from Sarawak by the state's Immigration department on Jan 6, without any reasons, after a two-week notice was served on him on the cancellation of his entry pass under Regulation 11(8) of the Immigration Regulations 1983. He was also told that he was barred from re-entering Sarawak.
"What sin or crime has Tan committed as to provoke the state's immigration autonomy to expel and bar Tan from re-entering Sarawak?" queried Lim, in a press statement today.
Lim claimed it was public knowledge that Chan had not been happy with Tan because of his position on various Chinese education issues taken in his (Tan's) capacity as secretary of the Miri Hainan Association (MHA), a position he has held since 1995.
Tan, his family and MHA, had made various efforts in the past three months to get the decision reversed, but all were in vain.
'Most shocking'
Tan was to reported to have written to Chan on Feb 13 seeking his assistance. According to Lim, the reply, which came two weeks later, said:
"I believe that the Director of Immigration and the state authority must have considered all the relevant circumstances and factors before they made that decision affecting you.
"However, I feel that you are labouring under a mistaken assumption in thinking that someone could have been denied entry to Sarawak because of his legitimate political activities.
"I shall endeavour to assist you, but I am not sure if my efforts could bring about the desired results for you."
Lim said he found Chan's indifference to Tan's appeal "most shocking, taking more than two weeks to give such an atrocious reply when he should have during the period resolved Tan's problems".
He added that if Chan was really ignorant on the reasons for Tan's expulsion and ban, then he (Chan) has been "doubly irresponsible, negligent and not fit to continue as the first deputy chief minister of Sarawak, firstly, for not knowing why Tan was expelled and secondly, for not taking immediate action to get the expulsion order revoked".
Legal help
He said that the state government had abused its powers and acted unlawfully when it expelled Tan without giving any reasons and that this illegal action could be challenged in court.
He added that DAP was prepared to offer legal assistance to take up the case on behalf of Tan, provided people were prepared to contribute to a legal fund.
Lim said if Tan was not allowed to return to Sarawak by Thursday, DAP will start a national and international campaign against Sarawak for gross violation of human rights against Tan.
Previous report:
View Comments0