GEORGE TOWN – The Penang assembly ended its sitting today by voting for the motion to “compel” Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammed Sanusi Md Nor to apologise to 1.8 million Penangites for his remarks that the state was “loaned” from Kedah.
This is the first time in the assembly’s history that such a motion was passed – aimed at a leader of another state – by seeking an open apology and to reprimand him for making possibly seditious remarks.
When debating the motion, Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow (Padang Kota-PH) challenged Sanusi to seek legal recourse to clear his name and to put the facts to rest about the historical status of Penang and Kedah.
“It is not just about history but the remarks made recently bordered on sedition and Sanusi needs to be accountable for his words,” said Chow, garnering applause.
Lim Guan Eng (Air Putih-PH) had tabled the motion underlining that Penang is defined as a sovereign state and enjoys the same rights like any other Malaysian state.
It was overwhelmingly passed when Law put it to vote, as the assembly now only has one official opposition member, who is Yusni Mat Piah (Penaga-PN).
Law also allowed opposition leader Yusni Mat Piah (Penaga-PN) to argue the matter where Yusni stated that Sanusi’s remarks were intentionally misinterpreted by the lawmakers.
Yusni said Sanusi was just seeking more compensation from the federal government, and not Penang, citing that in the past Kedah was paid RM10,000 per annum before it was then raised in 2018 to RM10 million per annum.
Lim interjected that when he was the finance minister, he was the one who raised the quantum to RM10 million to help Kedah’s economy.
“Why make noise about it now? Why didn’t Sanusi broach the subject when his party (PAS) was in federal power? He is intentionally doing this.”
Yusni cited that Sanusi was just following up on what the Kedah sultan had mentioned during a meeting, to which M. Satees (Bagan Dalam-PH) rose to inject, citing Standing Orders, a legislative member cannot cite the name of royalty to inflict influence when debating proceedings within the assembly.
He urged Yusni to withdraw the remark concerning royalty, which Yusni ignored, saying he was just referring to the media reports on the matter.
Meanwhile, Muhammed Faiz Fadzil (Permatang Pasir-PH) said that even though he was born in Kedah, Penang has become the state that “sheltered” him and help him in his cause to serve Malaysians.
“As elected representatives, we will stand to defend Penang’s sovereignty against outsiders bent on dividing and confusing us. Sanusi is a rude leader and he needs to be reprimanded for such callous behaviour.”
The issue blew up after Sanusi had claimed in the Kedah assembly in September that Penang is a state leased from Kedah and, therefore, should not criticise its neighbour over its projects.
Sanusi earlier said the RM100 million annual compensation is among Kedah’s wishlist for Budget 2022, which includes royalty payment, infrastructure, compensation for paddy land, and loan write-offs.
Senator picks
The assembly also appointed Dr R. A. Lingeshwaran, who is Sg Bakap hospital director as a senator, replacing Lim Hui Ying. Lim is now Tanjong MP after the 2022 general election and was appointed deputy education minister.
It was reported that Lingeshwaran joined DAP four months ago while his father – Datuk Seri R. Arunasalam – is a businessman and former MIC strongman in Penang.
The backbenchers also agreed to appoint Amir Ghazali as a senator. He is the political secretary to Penang PKR chairperson Nurul Izzah Anwar.
Amir is replacing Fadhlina Sidek, who won the Nibong Tebal parliamentary seat last year and was appointed as education minister.
However, Law expressed his dismay that Lingeshwaran and Amir were not in the chambers when the motion on their candidacies was passed.
“At the very least, we should get to see them and offer our wisdom to ensure they serve Penang well in their senatorships,” said Law.
Penang is poised to hold its state election by July this year.
Yesterday, Penang also recorded history when four Perikatan Nasional assemblymen were expelled and vacated their state seats for violating the state’s anti-hopping laws. – The Vibes, March 7, 2023
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