Macau's list of unwelcome Hongkongers seems to have expanded from pan-democrats to non-governmental organisations after a social worker was refused entry yesterday.
Nano Yeung Pui-yan is the second Hongkonger known to have been denied entry in seven weeks.
An activist said it was a 'worrying phenomenon' that would harm Hong Kong's international image.
'I have no idea why I was refused entry,' said Yeung, a social worker with the Concerning CSSA Review Alliance - a community group that helps the poor. 'I only wanted to go to Macau for the day with my family.' Back in Hong Kong yesterday afternoon, Yeung said immigration officers in Macau told her she had chosen 'the wrong time to visit'.
Yeung took a ferry to Macau yesterday morning with her mother and two sisters. She was detained at immigration control, but the rest of her group was allowed in. After questioning, Yeung was given a document to sign. It stated that she was denied entry under the internal security law.
The law bars travellers from Macau who are deemed a threat to its internal security, or those with perceived links to international terrorism or organised crime.
Yeung was later sent back to Hong Kong. 'They asked me whether I belonged to any political parties, and I said I was not a member of any. I'm just a social worker,' Yeung said. She said her job involved helping elderly welfare recipients 'buy toilet paper' and organising talks for students.
