PENANG Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow once again hit out against his neighbour, Datuk Seri Muhammed Sanusi Md Nor, who has insisted on laying claim to the island state based on a historical narrative four centuries ago.
Speaking in Parliament before his peers, Chow (Pakatan Harapan - Batu Kawan) said that Sanusi was out of line and order for making such a dubious claim, especially since Penang is a sovereign state under the Federal Constitution.
"Any claims for Penang are baseless from the law perspective and against the spirit of the constitution, which upheld the sovereignty of each state and the Malay Sultanate."
Speaking in the Dewan Rakyat today, Chow said Penang, as a state, has the same rights as Kedah.
This is stipulated under the Penang and Kedah Act (Border Demarcation) 1985 (Act 325), which was gazetted under the Federal Constitution.
"Any attempts to alter the border demarcation through statements and political rhetoric are against the spirit of federalism and can open up unnecessary polemics," said Chow.
Sanusi had earlier spoken about the state's legal advisers finalising an affidavit to pursue a legal proceeding on grounds of seeking higher compensation because Penang was illegally procured from the Kedah Malay Sultanate in the late 1700s.
Chow said that the claim by Kedah is similar to the now-defunct Sulu Sultanate, which had claimed Sabah as an example of how the case, although based on a historical narrative, cannot be condoned if it goes against the Constitution.
"It is the same principle applied here. We must be careful."
As Penang is a sovereign state, any negative narrative about its legal rights needs to be stopped for the sake of preserving harmony and goodwill, said Chow.
It is in line with the King's decree that the people should not sow hatred and suspicions within the society, said Chow.
Despite overbroad narratives about its sovereign state, Chow said that Penang is focused on development and raising the quality of life among its inhabitants.
He said that the state will continue to lobby for the establishment of the Penang International Financial Centre to complement its existence as a hub for the electrical and electronics (E & E) manufacturing hub and a vibrant services sector.
"The centre is not about competing with others, including Kuala Lumpur, but to add value to the national economic ecosystem. This can happen as Penang is already regarded as having an advanced industrial status."
The focus of the financial centre is on digital finance (fintech), and it can help boost the supply chain, trade and in risks management, said Chow.
He added that Penang will also liaise with Bank Negara Malaysia, the Securities Commission and the Labuan Offshore Financial Board on this matter.
Hence, he hopes the Finance Ministry can consider the state's proposal.
Meanwhile, Chow's predecessor, Lim Guan Eng, who is the Bagan MP, supported the initiative of his successor, citing that the state needs the centre in view of the proposed punitive US import tariffs, which may cripple the industrial sector. - January 28, 2026.
