KOTA KINABALU • The Sabah state legislature yesterday passed a special motion to bar Parti Keadilan Rakyat vice-presidents Nurul Izzah Anwar and Tian Chua from entering the East Malaysian state.

They voted to ban the duo, both federal lawmakers, over their meeting early this month with self-styled Sulu princess Jacel Kiram in Manila. Ms Kiram's late father was behind a February 2013 attack in eastern Sabah by 200 Sulu militants that killed 10 Malaysian police and military men. Ms Kiram has claimed on her Facebook account, quoted by the media, that Sabah is part of the Philippines.

Ms Nurul Izzah has said she was "deeply regretful" for having a picture taken with Ms Kiram. She said the meeting was arranged by outside parties.

The power to bar anyone from entering the state, however, is in the hands of Chief Minister Musa Aman.

Ms Nurul Izzah is suing police chief Khalid Abu Bakar and Rural and Regional Development Minister Ismail Sabri Yaakob for saying her action could amount to treason.

THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK