Kedah owns Penang? Take your claims to court, Chow snaps at Sanusi

GEORGE TOWN – Datuk Seri Muhammad Sanusi Md Nor should take his claims that Penang belongs to Kedah to the courts, said Chow Kon Yeow.

Instead of trying to “seriously joke” about the matter, the Penang chief minister said that his Kedah counterpart may want to consider the courts as the best avenue to resolve his outlandish claims.

“This is not the first time he is making such claims. We’ll see whether he wants to see us in court over the matter,” Chow said after he was asked whether Penang was considering taking action against Sanusi for defamation.

Sanusi, who studied at Universiti Sains Malaysia here and had worked briefly in Penang, has been caught up in a squabble with his neighbouring state.

From disputes over historic narratives to water and land boundaries, as well as competition for investments, Sanusi has been at loggerheads with Penang since assuming control of Kedah in 2020 after the collapse of the then-Pakatan Harapan government.

Chow also said that he was fed up of replying to Sanusi’s various challenges, as there were more important tasks at hand, such as meeting the public’s expectations.

“Well if he is joking seriously, we will be listening seriously to all his claims. He should refer it to court,” said the DAP leader.

Yesterday, Sanusi was reported to have said that Kedah and Penang do not have a border because Penang still belongs to Kedah, claiming further that Kedah only shares a border with Perak and Perlis.

Historically, Penang became a sovereign state when its founder Francis Light brokered a deal with the Kedah sultan to first claim the island, and later a stretch that became known as Province Wellesley from 1786 onwards, which is now Seberang Prai.

Chow had earlier launched the month-long Penang International Food Festival at the Whiteaways Arcade in Lebuh Pantai here.

Also present was the state’s Tourism executive councillor Yeoh Soon Hin.

The festival from June 3 until June 25 will feature three main events: the Bertam Tasty Trails, the Gourmet Stars of Penang, and a food festival on the island.

It will feature a wide spread of culinary fare, from classic street food to modern bites and international delights. – The Vibes, May 30, 2023