"State govt has no prior knowledge of conference organised by women's wing of Isma"

KUCHING, Oct 27, 2014: The State Government has no prior knowledge to the holding here of the inaugural conference organised by  women's wing of Ikatan Muslimin Malaysia (Isma) from Oct 24 to 25, Chief Minister's Office said in a statement this evening.

"In  any  event, the  State  Government  had  never  given  approval  for  the Conference to be held here," it said.

"Nevertheless, if any conference or similar event, intended to be held or is held in  Sarawak, could  be  disruptive  of,  or  prejudicial  to,  the peace,  harmony  or security  of the  State,  those  who  are involved  either  in  its  organisation  or  as active participants, would not    be permitted to                enter or remain in the State," it stressed.

CMO issued the statement after questions were raised on social media why the conference was allowed to be held in Sarawak in view of Isma having extreme religious and racist views.

The conference, held at a local hotel, was exposed by a local paper. The conference was officiated by the women's wing chief Norsaleha Mohd Salleh.

Most of the delegates were said to have come from Malaya, where Isma is allowed to speak out its extremist views.

The CMO statement said that the State Government reiterates that any person whose presence in the State is likely to undermine the prevailing harmony and unity of the multi-racial and multi-religious communities  or the peace  and  security  of  Sarawak, will  be barred from entering or remaining in the State under the relevant provisions of the Immigration Act (Act 155). 

On illegal logging in Sarawak, CMO said that the recent  arrest of an enforcement officer and some  people related to illegal logging  by  MACC  is a  clear  manifestation  of  the  State Government  firm commitments  in  curbing  and  eliminating all  activities  associated  with  illegal logging.

"The  Chief  Minister  means  what  he  has  said as  regards  the Government’s  seriousness in  tackling  illegal logging  and  trade  in  illegally harvested timber.

"The  three  awareness  seminars  on  integrity  of  enforcement  officers  held  in Kuching,           Sibu  and Miri recently,  is  part  of  the  efforts  by  the  Government  to instil  discipline  and  integrity  amongst  the enforcement officers  and is  clear evidence  of  the  seriousness  of  the Government in its action  against  those enforcement  officers  who  fail   or  neglect to  discharge their  duties with professionalism and honesty," CM said.