KUALA LUMPUR – A brief shouting match ensued between Lim Guan Eng (Bagan-PH) and three Perikatan Nasional (PN) lawmakers in Dewan Rakyat over comments made by Kedah Menteri Besar Datuk Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor about Penang’s “sovereignty”.
Amid the clamour, Lim said he has a video clip of Sanusi raising the issue and dared the PAS leader to sue the former Penang chief minister.
“I have a video clip of (Sanusi) doubting Penang’s sovereignty. This is black and white, and cannot be avoided.
“I also want to openly say that if he dares say I lied, please sue me,” he added, garnering cheers about the government lawmakers in the lower house.
Lim had expressed his disapproval of Sanusi’s claim, adding that it had offended 1.7 million Penangites.
He also said Sanusi is not a legal expert, and must receive advice before “opening his mouth to attack Penang’s sovereignty”.
Citing the claims as attempts to fan extremist sentiments, Lim said Sanusi also indirectly disputed the power given to Penang Governor Tun Ahmad Fuzi Abdul Razak by the Yang di-Pertuan Agong Al-Sultan Abdullah Ri’ayatuddin Al-Mustafa Billah Shah.
However, three PN lawmakers came to Sanusi’s defence, chiming in that Sanusi’s remarks were about Penang being “leased” from Kedah.
Datuk Awang Hashim (Pendang-PN), Ahmad Tarmizi Sulaiman (Sik-PN), and Datuk Ku Abd Rahman Ku Ismail (Kubang Pasu-PN) repeatedly claimed that the dispute was about the lease and not the state’s “sovereignty”.
However, Ku Abd Rahman tried to invoke Section 36(6) of the Standing Orders, where “no member shall impute improper motives to any other member”.
His attempt was immediately rebutted by Syahredzan Johan (Bangi-PH), who said that Sanusi is not an MP.
Unrelented, Ku Abd Rahman tried again by bringing up Section 36(12), indicating that Lim’s statements had confused the house and could be considered a sign of contempt, but was disregarded.
Sanusi had repeatedly said Penang was a state leased from Kedah and should not criticise its neighbour Kedah for its affairs.
Earlier this month, RSN Rayer (Jelutong-PH) lodged a police report over Sanusi’s comments that Penang was on “lease” from Kedah, saying that the remarks were subversive, disruptive, and questioned the Agong’s powers.
Sanusi repeated these comments at an event in Alor Star and shared a video clip on Facebook on January 26. – The Vibes, February 27, 2023
