Pro-democracy Civic Party district councillor Andy Yu has been denied entry to Macau – the latest in a string of politicians and journalists that have been barred from entering Hong Kong’s sister SAR.
Yu is the district councillor of the Fu Pak constituency in Yau Tsim Mong. On Sunday, Yu had planned on taking local residents to Macau on a trip, but was forced to return to Hong Kong.
The entry refusal notification issued by the Macau Immigration Department to Yu said: “There are strong references that you intend to enter the Macao SAR to participate in certain activities which may jeopardize the public security or public order of the Macao SAR.”
Yu told Ming Pao that although Macau was about to hold legislative elections, his visit had nothing to do with the occasion, and he felt frustrated towards the “inaccurate” reasoning given by the authorities.
Hong Kong journalists from Apple Daily, HK01 and South China Morning Post were banned last month from entering the territory. They had planned on reporting on the post-Typhoon Hato destruction and relief efforts.
Democratic Party lawmaker Helena Wong was also barred last week and said she would make a complaint to Macau Chief Executive Fernando Chui.
Neo Democrats Tai Po district councillor Kwan Wing-yip and his family were detained at the border by Macau authorities for around three hours last week, but they were eventually let in.
Other lawmakers denied entry this year included Kwok Ka-ki, Kenneth Leung, Andrew Wan and Ray Chan.
