GEORGE TOWN – A veteran politician has echoed Penang Mufti Datuk Seri Wan Salim Wan Mohd Noor’s criticism of Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor’s remarks linking Penang to 4D outlets.
Wan Salim had yesterday slammed Sanusi for bringing down Muslims in Penang by linking the state to gambling and immorality.
“Sanusi needs to be careful when he speaks in public, especially on matters related to Penang,” stressed Wan Salim.
Tan Sri Mohd Yussof Latiff, who heads the oldest Malay organisation in the country – the Penang Malay Association (Pemenang) said that Sanusi has hurt the feelings of Muslims in the state by telling those who want to patronise 4D lottery outlets to go to Penang.
“At the same time, he may have irked the Yang di-Pertuan Agong over his remarks that portrays Penang as a state that freely allows gambling because His Majesty is in charge of Islamic affairs in states that do not have Malay rulers,” Yussof told The Vibes.
On Sanusi as a comrade, Yussof said that he was acquainted with the Kedah PAS deputy commissioner when he was political secretary to the late Tan Sri Azizan Abdul Razak, former Kedah menteri besar.
“Nevertheless, I think he may be hasty in passing remarks. Another thing I felt was unworthwhile is running Penang down from the raw water extraction issue to the history of colonial past,” said Yussof, who is one of the last remaining leaders here to have worked with the country’s first prime minister Tunku Abdul Rahman Putra Al-Haj.
Yussof said the nation’s founding father accepted Penang as a state even though he was a grandnephew to the former sultan of Kedah, who historically was forced to surrender Kedah’s sovereignty over Penang to the colonial British powers and then the federal government.
“Penang is part of the federated states of Malaya and Malaysia. Let us be sincere and coexist.
“There are no issues in this world that cannot be negotiated for a peaceful resolution if both sides are sincere with each other.
“Our bedrock of harmony and peaceful coexistence among all groups must be maintained.
“Leaders should not exploit the fault lines in the country for a temporary political gain; they should be looking at the long-term fortunes of the country, which depends on everyone to make it competitive and uphold its sovereignty,” said Yussof. – The Vibes, November 16, 2021
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