MUDA has joined Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow in telling off Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Seri Muhammed Sanusi Md Nor for wanting to claim more compensation from the state, which historically belonged to the Kedah.
MUDA issued a statement, stating that Penang is a sovereign state, separated from Kedah under the Federal Constitution, so Sanusi should refrain from pursuing the matter, as it has hurt the feelings of Penangites.
It also condemned Sanusi for using history to back his dubious claims, which are aimed at scoring political points at the expense of causing inter-state frictions.
Addressing claims by Sanusi during the recent Kedah state legislative assembly sitting, Chow reiterated that Penang does not belong to Kedah.
“On behalf of the state and people of Penang, I would like to reiterate my stand on the matter. I hope that Sanusi can show respect and refrain from making such statements again.
"If Kedah wishes to pursue ownership of Penang, then they can proceed to bring the matter to court, instead of repeating the claim outside court."
Under Clause (2) Article 1 of the Federal Constitution, it stipulates that the federal states consist of Johor, Kedah, Kelantan, Melaka, Negri Sembilan, Pahang, Perak, Perlis, Penang, Selangor, Terengganu, as well as the Borneo states of Sabah and Sarawak.
Sanusi earlier defended the Kedah's government intention to demand for the annual honorarium for the Penang island and Perai (mainland) stretch to be increased from the present RM10 million to RM100 million.
Penang used to be part of the Kedah Sultanate but it was traded off to Francis Light, the person behind both the discovery and development of the state in 1786.
Sanusi said that his demand was justified since the Selangor government receives RM70 million annually from the federal government for Kuala Lumpur.
He said the findings from a research team formed by the state government to study the historical status of Kedah and Penang, which are expected to be tabled by next month, would allegedly further support the demand. - The Vibes, November 29, 2024.
