Democratic Party lawmaker Helena Wong Pik-wan was denied entry to Macau on Tuesday evening for being “a threat to internal security and stability.” Numerous Hong Kong legislators and journalists have been barred from entering Hong Kong’s sister SAR in recent months.
Wong said it was the first time she was refused entry to Macau and was unsure what the reason was for the ban. She said that she would write to Macau Chief Executive Fernando Chui, as well as the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office of the State Council, to complain about the matter.
She would also speak to Chief Executive Carrie Lam and ask her to reflect the discontent of Hong Kong people, Apple Daily reported.
“This is a joke, and it severely damages the image of Macau,” Wong said.
Wong was taking part in an exchange trip organised by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University to University of Macau. At the immigration control point, she was taken to a room by border officials, and was asked to fill in her personal details and that of her parents.
Wong was then issued a notice indicating the refusal of her entry, and took a ferry back to Hong Kong. However, all her companions had successfully passed through.
Hong Kong journalists from Apple Daily, HK01 and South China Morning Post were banned last week from entering the territory. They had planned on reporting on the post-Typhoon Hato destruction and relief efforts, after the storm claimed 10 lives in the city.
Civic Party lawmaker Kwok Ka-ki was also barred from entering Macau for his wedding anniversary celebration last month. Other lawmakers denied entry this year included Kenneth Leung, Andrew Wan and Ray Chan.
Pro-democracy activists were also ejected from Macau in May – several hours after successfully entering as tourists – when state leader Zhang Dejiang was visiting the region.
