UPDATE & UPGRADE! Mukhriz told to snap out from "colonial" mentality, it is "EMBARRASSING"

The statement of Kedah Menteri Besar (MB) Mukhriz Mahathir asking the federal government to increase the annual payment of RM10,000 to Kedah on account of a colonial-era treaty on Penang, is embarassing.

I cannot understand why a person of MB stature like Mukhriz is willing to appeal to a 227-year old colonial treaty. This clearly shows that he is trapped in a "colonised people" mentality.

Focus on developing Kedah

Mukhriz should focus on developing Kedah for the sake of the people instead of trying his luck to get additional fund from the federal government via the backdoor on the pretext of the said treaty.

In fact, Mukhriz's father, Dr. Mahathir Mohamad when the latter was Prime Minister of Malaysia in 1994 rejected similar request from the then Kedah MB Osman Aroff. Dr. Mahathir even termed the treaty and payment as "meaningless". Hence, Mukhriz's action is surely an embarassment even to his own father.

Stop colonial legacy

Malaysia have been Independent for 56 years now and both Kedah and Penang are neigbouring states under the Federation of Malaysia. The fact of their existence as separate states are enshrined in the Federal Constitution (specificially Article 1(2)).

I urge the federal government to stop this embarassment once and for all. This colonial legacy should be stopped and the annual payment of RM10,000 to Kedah should be abolished. The money should instead be channeled directly as part of the development fund of Kedah for the benefits of the people in the state.

Steven Sim Chee Keong

MP for Bukit Mertajam

National Political Education Director, DAPSY Malaysia

State Publicity Secretary, DAPSY Penang