The Sarawak government is unlikely to invoke its immigration autonomy powers to bar former deputy premier Anwar Ibrahim from entering Sarawak.

A close confidante and political aide of Chief Minister Abdul Taib Mahmud told malaysiakini today that the authorities are aware of Anwar's visit on Monday.

"Let him come in," the Sarawak leader was quoted as saying by the aide.

Banning the former deputy premier planning his first visit after being released from prison last September would 'not be good' for the state government.

"He is not seen in anyway as a threat," the aide added.

State leaders - and the Special Branch - would, however, be interested in those included in Anwar's entourage from Kuala Lumpur and what the former deputy prime minister is going to say and do in Kuching during his two-day visit.

Anwar is expected to fly in around noon on Monday and will be met by a small group of people, including Parti Keadilan Rakyat (PKR) national adviser Hafsah Harun, a former state minister, and the state liaison committee chief Wan Zainal Abidin Wan Sanusi.

This will be followed by a closed-door meeting between PKR national and state liaison committee members before a thanksgiving gathering in Hafsah's house in Jalan Astana, Petra Jaya, in the evening.

Sarawak polls

All state-based opposition parties - DAP, Sarawak National Party (Snap), State Reform Party (Star) and PAS - have been invited to the gathering and are expected to discuss a possible electoral pact during Anwar's visit.

Politicians in Sarawak are gearing up for a state election, which must be held before the end of next year.

News of Anwar's visit is intended to bolster the state PKR, which has gone through a series of electoral setbacks since it made its debut after Anwar was imprisoned.

Recently, the state liaison committee saw a change of leadership with Wan Zainal, the former secretary-general and an accountant by training, taking over from Hafsah as state chief.

The move is believed to try and revitalise the state PKR with a younger and more dynamic leadership who is equally well-known among the local Malay community and to give hope that some young Malay professionals could be attracted into the party.

Meanwhile, at a press conference today to announce Anwar's visit, Wan Zainal said that Anwar will hold a closed-door meeting with non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and opposition parties soon after his arrival at noon Monday.

New State PKR line-up

However, he declined to name the NGOs and the political parties although the meeting is expected to include leaders of the Sarawak National Party and State Reform Party (Star).

"Anwar is interested to hear what they want to say," Wan Zainal said, adding that the visit would also be covered by the foreign media.

The new Sarawak PKR leader also announced his new line-up in the state liaison committee.

Apart from himself as chairperson, a Miri-based gyneacologist Dr Michael Teo Yu Seng and a former police officer Dr Akaw Nonjep are vice chairpersons.

The new secretary-general is a former Kemas senior officer Mohamad Akek and treasurer is Sobey Daud. Information chief is a former district officer Idris Bohari, Wanita chief is Niloh Ason and Youth leader is Ramlee Mahtar.

Among the ten ordinary committee members are Sarikei-based medical practitioner Dr Wong Hua Seh and Kuching lawyer See Chee How.

TONY THIEN is malaysiakini's Sarawak-based stringer.